Together We Build a Healthy Community

  • “Together We Build a Healthy Community” features imagery celebrating a healthy community, including a farmers market, community fruit and vegetable gardens, a playground, and children and adults interacting together.
  • At the dedication ceremony, Lead Artist Frank Parga and staff from Montefiore’s Office of Community Health and Wellness admire the mural that the youth created.

Project Description

In 2012, Groundswell partnered with Montefiore Medical Center and its Office of Community Health and Wellness’ Healing Arts Program to create five beautiful murals celebrating the theme “Visions of a Healthy Community." Groups of young people were recruited from local afterschool programs to participate in the five-week project. Along with Groundswell professional artists, these youth were charged with researching, conceptualizing, designing, and painting the murals on stretched canvas. Each completed mural was then installed in the waiting area of one of five Montefiore health centers, enhancing these spaces for thousands of patients and community members. “Together We Build a Healthy Community” is one of these murals, created in partnership with students from Lehman High School. The imagery is composed of a father and son on the left side of the panel overlooking a scene filled with vibrant images of a healthy community. The entire panel is painted over a wash of bright colors, symbolizing positivity and optimism. The mural is installed in Montefiore's West Farms Family Practice.

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Project Info

Location: 1055 Tremont Avenue Bronx, NY 10460

Fun Facts

Quote
“This project uses art as a tool to empower youth in our community to explore important health issues in the Bronx. These murals allow us to see a vision of community health through their eyes.” - Ronit Fallek, Director, Montefiore Healing Arts Program
Legend Symbol
The hand. In the mural, two hands anchor the image, symbolizing that we all must help one another to reach our goal of a healthy community.
Suggested Activity
Use the color technique utilized in “Together We Build a Healthy Community.” First, paint a background with bright splotches of color. Once the background dries, take a black marker and sketch on top of it.