Empowering Communities Through Art: My Journey with 1 Brush Initiative

Collaborative art project by 1 Brush Initiative, involving local residents and community groups in the creative process.

During my tenure with the 1 Brush Initiative, I experienced first-hand the transformative power of community-engaged art. As the Director of Murals and Education, I had the privilege of leading various projects that not only beautified public spaces but also empowered youth and fostered community engagement. Although the organization eventually dissolved as the core team pursued their own projects, the impact of our work continues to resonate.

The Vision of 1 Brush Initiative

1 Brush Initiative was founded with a clear mission: to facilitate public art projects and empower youth through creativity and self-expression. We believed in the ability of art to transform communities, inspire individuals, and create lasting change. Our projects were designed to engage local communities, providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to and take pride in their shared spaces.

My Role as Director of Murals and Education

In my role, I wore many hats. From project management to mentorship, my responsibilities were diverse and dynamic. Leading workshops and mentoring young people at underserved schools and organizations was a central part of my work. These sessions provided a platform for youth to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Developing and implementing educational programs was another key aspect of my role. I worked closely with educators and community leaders to integrate art into the curriculum, promoting the importance of art education and encouraging youth participation in public art projects.

Transforming Public Spaces

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work with 1 Brush Initiative was witnessing the transformation of public spaces. Our projects included murals, installations, and interactive art experiences that brought life and color to urban environments. Each project was meticulously planned and executed, with careful attention to detail and a strong emphasis on community involvement.

For example, one of our standout projects was a mural series that spanned several blocks in a downtown area. This project not only enhanced the visual appeal of the neighborhood but also engaged local residents in the creative process. Community members were invited to contribute ideas, participate in the painting, and celebrate the completion of the murals together.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Collaboration was at the heart of everything we did at 1 Brush Initiative. We worked closely with local governments, nonprofits, and community groups to identify needs and develop projects that addressed those needs through art. Building strong partnerships was crucial to the success of our initiatives, and we were fortunate to work with a diverse network of stakeholders who shared our vision.

Our projects often involved large-scale events that brought people together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. These events were not just about creating art; they were about building relationships, encouraging dialogue, and strengthening the social fabric of the community.

A Lasting Legacy

Although 1 Brush Initiative eventually dissolved as the core team members pursued their own projects, the impact of our work endures. The murals and installations we created continue to brighten public spaces and inspire those who see them. The youth we mentored have gone on to explore their creative potential, carrying forward the lessons and experiences they gained through our programs.

Reflecting on my time with 1 Brush Initiative, I am filled with pride and gratitude. The work we did was challenging, rewarding, and deeply meaningful. It reinforced my belief in the power of art to create positive change and strengthened my commitment to using art as a tool for community building and empowerment.

If you’re interested in learning more about my work or exploring how we can bring similar transformative projects to your community, contact me. Let’s continue to harness the power of art to inspire, connect, and transform.

Fostering Unity and Creativity: The Fremont High School Youth Mural Project

Strider Patton guiding high school students in the Fremont Youth Mural Project, fostering community engagement.

In 2018, I had the honor of managing a collaborative youth mural project at Fremont High School in Oakland, CA. Partnering with 1 Brush Initiative, Buildon, and the Oakland Unified School District, we embarked on a journey to create a mural that would not only beautify the school but also instill a sense of pride, unity, and collaboration among the students. Here's a glimpse into this inspiring project and the impact it had on the Fremont High School community.

The Vision

The vision for the Fremont High School Youth Mural Project was to engage students in a meaningful and creative process that would allow them to express themes of equality, unity, education, and community. The goal was to create a mural that would resonate with the students, reflecting their values and aspirations while enhancing the school's environment.

Engaging the Students

We began by working closely with 60 high school students, involving them in every step of the mural creation process. From brainstorming sessions to sketching designs, the students' ideas and input were central to the project. This collaborative approach not only ensured that the mural would be meaningful to the students but also provided them with a sense of ownership and pride in their work.

During the workshops, we encouraged the students to explore themes that were important to them. Equality, unity, education, and community emerged as the core concepts, reflecting the students' desire for a supportive and inclusive school environment. These themes were then translated into vibrant sketches and designs, ready to be brought to life on the school's walls.

Creating the Mural

The painting process was a dynamic and engaging experience. Armed with brushes and paint, the students eagerly transformed their sketches into a stunning mural that spanned a significant portion of the school. The mural featured vibrant colors, powerful symbols, and intricate patterns that beautifully represented the chosen themes.

Throughout the painting process, the students worked together, supporting and encouraging one another. This collaborative effort fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie, reinforcing the mural's themes of community and togetherness. Teachers, parents, and community volunteers also joined in, adding to the spirit of collaboration and collective achievement.

The Impact

The Fremont High School Youth Mural Project had a profound impact on the students and the wider school community. The mural not only enhanced the visual appeal of the school but also served as a powerful symbol of the students' creativity, values, and aspirations. It became a source of pride for the students, reminding them of their ability to make a positive impact on their environment.

The project also strengthened the sense of community within the school. By working together on a common goal, the students developed deeper connections with one another and with their teachers. The mural stands as a testament to the power of art to bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration.

Continuing the Journey

Reflecting on the Fremont High School Youth Mural Project, I am filled with pride and gratitude. This project demonstrated the transformative power of art and the importance of involving young people in creative and meaningful activities. The mural continues to inspire and uplift the Fremont High School community, serving as a reminder of the students' creativity and the impact of their collaborative efforts.

If you’re interested in learning more about my work or exploring how we can bring similar transformative projects to your community, contact me. Let's continue to harness the power of art to inspire, connect, and transform.

Transforming a School with Art: The Shine School Youth Mural Project in Cambodia

Strider Patton guiding local children in creating the Shine School Youth Mural, promoting creativity and community engagement.

In 2018, I had the incredible opportunity to manage an international youth mural project in partnership with the nonprofit organization Shine, located in the rural community of Otres, Cambodia. This project was not only a testament to the power of art in fostering creativity and community engagement but also a deeply fulfilling experience that left a lasting impact on everyone involved.

The Vision

The goal of the Shine School Youth Mural Project was to create a vibrant and welcoming environment at a rural school in Otres. The project aimed to engage local children in the creative process, giving them a sense of ownership and pride in their school. By transforming the school's exterior with colorful and meaningful artwork, we hoped to inspire a love for learning and community spirit among the students.

The Process

Managing this project required careful planning, coordination, and collaboration with various stakeholders. We began by working closely with the Shine organization to understand the community's needs and goals. With their support, we organized a series of workshops that involved over 180 local children, encouraging them to express their ideas and visions for the mural.

These workshops were designed to be inclusive and engaging, allowing every child to contribute to the mural's design. We provided guidance and support, helping the children translate their ideas into vibrant sketches and drawings. The result was a beautiful collage of concepts that reflected the community's culture, values, and aspirations.

Creating the Mural

Once the design was finalized, we moved on to the actual painting process. This phase of the project was both challenging and exhilarating. The children, armed with brushes and paint, eagerly took to the walls of their school, transforming it into a canvas of creativity. The mural featured a blend of local motifs, natural elements, and vibrant colors, creating a visually stunning piece that resonated with everyone who saw it.

The painting process was a true community effort. Teachers, parents, and local volunteers joined the children, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. It was heartwarming to see the community come together, working side by side to bring the mural to life.

The Impact

The Shine School Youth Mural Project had a profound impact on the community. The mural not only beautified the school but also instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment among the children. They could see their ideas and efforts reflected in the artwork, which boosted their confidence and encouraged them to take pride in their school.

The project also strengthened the bond within the community. By working together on the mural, the children, teachers, and parents developed a deeper sense of connection and mutual support. The school became more than just a place for education; it became a symbol of community spirit and creativity.

A Lasting Legacy

Reflecting on the Shine School Youth Mural Project, I am reminded of the transformative power of art. This project demonstrated how art can bring people together, foster creativity, and create lasting positive change in a community. The mural stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the Otres community and the potential for art to inspire and uplift.

Building Community Through Art: The “Rebuild Potrero” Community Youth Mural

Strider Patton guiding youth in painting the Rebuild Potrero mural in San Francisco.

In 2017, I had the privilege of directing the “Rebuild Potrero” Community Youth Mural project in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. This year-long endeavor brought together local nonprofits, the San Francisco Planning Department, and a dedicated youth organization to create a vibrant mural that would not only beautify the area but also foster a sense of unity and pride among residents.

The Vision

The primary goal of the “Rebuild Potrero” project was to engage local youth in a meaningful artistic endeavor that would transform their neighborhood and instill a sense of community pride. By involving young residents in the creative process, we aimed to empower them and give them a voice in shaping their environment. The mural was envisioned as a colorful testament to the resilience, diversity, and unity of the Potrero Hill community.

The Process

The project began with a series of workshops and planning sessions involving over 100 local youth. These sessions were designed to educate the participants about mural creation while encouraging them to express their ideas and visions for the mural. The collaborative brainstorming process was crucial in ensuring that the final design reflected the collective identity and aspirations of the community.

Throughout the year, we worked closely with the San Francisco Planning Department and local nonprofits to coordinate the logistics of the mural project. This included securing necessary permits, organizing materials, and scheduling work sessions. The youth participants were actively involved in every step, from initial sketches to the final brushstrokes, fostering a deep sense of ownership and pride in the project.

The Grand Finale: Community Paint Day

The culmination of the “Rebuild Potrero” project was a vibrant weekend event that brought the entire community together. The highlight was the community paint day, where residents of all ages came out to help bring the mural to life. This event not only showcased the artistic talents of the youth participants but also served as a powerful demonstration of community solidarity and cooperation.

Families, friends, and neighbors worked side by side, painting and celebrating their shared accomplishments. The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement, as the mural took shape and transformed the once-plain walls into a colorful celebration of community spirit.

The Impact

The “Rebuild Potrero” Community Youth Mural stands as a lasting symbol of the power of art to bring people together. The mural not only enhanced the visual landscape of Potrero Hill but also strengthened the bonds within the community. It served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration, creativity, and youth empowerment in building a resilient and united neighborhood.

Reflecting on this project, I am proud of the impact we made and the legacy we left behind. The mural continues to inspire and uplift the Potrero Hill community, embodying the values of unity, diversity, and pride.

Mount Vernon Community Mural Project

Strider Patton - Mount Vernon Iowa Youth Community Mural Project 2017 - Western wall

A project 3 years in the making came to fruition in May 2017. In my hometown of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, I realized a massive youth-lead community mural on a retaining wall behind the house I grew up in. I used to draw on this big grey wall with chalk as a kid. In the fall of 2014 I was visiting for my cousin's wedding, and having completed some larger murals by that point, I began thinking of bringing a mural project to the town, centered around the local youth and giving them first-class arts education and a collaborative event that will be remembered the rest of their lives.

Strider Patton - Mount Vernon Iowa Youth Community Mural Project 2017 - Eastern wall

With the help of my mom and several other dedicated believers in the project, I was able to pitch the project to the town's city council and school district. A unanimous "YES" was received immediately. The majority of the time over the three years was in securing a few grants and local financial donations. Once we knew we had the funding, I was began to schedule the mural design curriculum classes that I would bring to every school in town, serving K-12 grades.

Over the course of the last year, I flew to Mt. Vernon three times for mural design workshops, education opportunities in the schools, and a town hall meeting to open the conversation of what should be depicted in the mural to the larger community. Overall, I had hundreds of conversations which all boiled down to two main themes - nature and culture.

Working with the students, we decided to break the long wall down into six different scenes that would each tell their own story. I held a number of brainstorming exercises and design activities in the three grade schools to decide what each scene could depict. I gathered hundreds of sketches from these workshops, as well as pages of my own personal notes.

Outlining the mural for the first day of painting.

The designs span time, with imagery representing past, present, and even ideas and hopes for the town’s future. The scenes weave together the two main themes of nature and culture, along with more specific ideas, places, or concepts. The scenes may be observed individually or as an entire body of work.

The mural is divided into six cene that each have their own story and meaning. Each scene is filled with conceptual imagery, context, connotation and nuance. The scenes are intended to be immediately graspable, yet also loaded with layers of meaning. Observers may engage the imagery quickly, or take their time and allow the depth of each work to wash over them.

Moving from west to east, the entirety of the mural spans the length of a year, with four seasons represented among the six scenes. Starting with spring on the far west end of the mural, as observers move from left to right, they travel through summer, fall, and finally winter at the far east end of the mural.

Mount Vernon Community Mural KCRG TV-9 News Report

(click link above for TV news report video)

Weaving between the scenes is a linear line design that represents energy and connection, freely flowing from past to present, through seasons and times of day, and among nature and culture. This design represents the connectivity of everything, and how these places, people, and things make the community. This flow of energy culminates at the center point of the mural, where all the components come together and are realized to create the heart of Mt. Vernon, our home. It is at this unique point that observers can become participants, by walking up the stairs - physically moving into through the art.

The Scenes

“Rolling Heritage”
This scene depicts the Mt. Vernon area landscape, with rolling hills, newly tilled farm fields, and windy skies in the springtime. A train is moving into the foreground, symbolizing a major part of Mt. Vernon’s history of transportation with moving people and goods. Seen in the natural skyand the human made train, energy is a major theme depicted here, along with the strong heritage the community has with the farming and the train.”

“Home – Indoors and Out”
This scene represents the idea of home and how Mt. Vernon residents bridge that idea of being both indoors and out. Porches are common in the community, and these architectural elements represent this bridging of home being experienced outdoors. In the late springtime porches turn into places for residents to gather and rest outside after another winter. A setting sun with shining stars is in the background with two chairs on the porch and warm indoor lights coming on in foreground.

“Celebration”
This scene depicts Mt. Vernon’s long history of celebrating life with community festivals and events. From Fun Days, to Kolache Days and to Heritage days, a Ferris wheel is in the foreground, representing the history of annual celebrations as an iconic image. The big sky and white clouds are meant to show this scene on a hot mid-summer July afternoon. Celebrations have come and gone, moved and changed over time, but what remains through the ages is the tradition for residents to gather together in celebration of life.

The one unique feature of the retaining wall we painted was this stairwell. Something amazing about painting outdoors on wall that were not designed to be painted on, is that they already character, history, and charm. This stairwell connects the lower parking lot to the upper and offered an opportunity for observers to literally move through the artwork!

“Residents - Old and New”
In this scene a fox is in the foreground with fireflies drifting about in a farm field on an autumn night. Foxes are recent additions to the Mt. Vernon area, while fireflies have been around forever. These two creatures in the scene represent the idea of residents and how there are always those who have been in the area for a long time and those who are new. The town continues on with this natural ebb and flow of those who make up the community.

“The Shoe Tree”
Shown in this scene is The Shoe Tree, a local secret that is known by many residents. On the old dirt road west of town, the Shoe Tree has been a destination for residents who tie their old shoes together and hurl them into the branches of a tree, perhaps to leave their mark or perhaps to feel part of a tradition. This is a hidden treasure of the community and something unique that many residents may not know of. While this local secret is in the foreground, King Chapel stands tall in the background, an unmistakable iconic symbol of Mt. Vernon that even first time visitors know.

“Pristine Winter”
This scene depicts a snowy landscape at the year's end. A freshly fallen coat of snow with no disruption represents the timeless cadence of the natural world of the Mt. Vernon area, free from any reference of humanity. This scene could be from the distant past, the present, or thefar future. The landscape is a major part of many Mt. Vernon residents’ identities, and trees play a large part of that. In the background are pine trees, and in the foreground, bare deciduous trees cast long shadows at the end of a cold day.

We could not have made this project happen would it not be for the incredible work and support by the people of Mt. Vernon, IA, the school board and teachers, the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council, and the City Council!

Specifically I would like to thank:

Grants:

Iowa Arts Council
The McIntyre Foundation
Maurice Foundation
ACT

Private Donations:

East End Art
Fuel...Art & Espresso
Hands in Harmony
Koppenhaver & Associates
Mount Vernon Bank & Trust
Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services
Zoe's Pet Deli

Individuals:

SteveMaravetz - President of the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council
Marie DeVries - Mount Vernon Area Arts Council member and our grant writer
Joe Jennison - Director of Mount Vernon / Lisbon Community Development Group
Gary O'Malley - Mount Vernon Community School District Superintendent
Sarah Fitzgerald - Washington Elementary School art teacher
Mark Benesh - Mount Vernon Middle School art teacher
Steve Andreson - Mount Vernon Middle School art teacher
Christine Goodwin - Mount Vernon Area Arts Council member and my ever-supportive mom!

Blending Art, Culture, and Shared Spaces: My Journey at the California Institute of Integral Studies

Strider Patton at CIIS working on his master's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Public Art.

From 2012 to 2014, I embarked on a transformative journey at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, where I pursued a master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and Public Art. This period was marked by intense exploration and creative discovery, shaping my understanding of the powerful interplay between art, culture, and shared spaces.

The Academic Journey

My academic journey at CIIS was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The curriculum was rich and diverse, offering courses that delved into the complexities of cultural anthropology while integrating the principles and practices of public art. The objective was to create a comprehensive understanding of how art influences and is influenced by cultural contexts, particularly in shared public spaces.

Building a Unique Portfolio

The core of my master’s program was the development of a portfolio that reflected my studies and experiences. This portfolio became a testament to my work at the crossroads of art, culture, and shared spaces. I immersed myself in various activities, from working in art galleries to participating in community public art activations. Each experience contributed to a deeper understanding of how art can transform public spaces and foster community engagement.

Working in galleries provided a behind-the-scenes look at the curation and presentation of art, honing my skills in art administration and exhibition design. These roles allowed me to appreciate the meticulous planning and creative vision required to bring an exhibition to life, skills that would prove invaluable in my later projects.

Community Public Art Activations

A significant part of my portfolio involved active participation in community public art projects. These activations were more than just art installations; they were collaborative efforts that brought together diverse groups to create something meaningful. I worked alongside community members, local artists, and cultural organizations, facilitating the creation of murals, sculptures, and interactive art pieces that enlivened public spaces and sparked dialogue.

These projects underscored the importance of art in community building. They provided opportunities for individuals to engage with each other and their environment in new ways, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their shared spaces. The lessons learned from these activations have deeply influenced my approach to public art and community engagement.

Documenting the Journey

Throughout my master’s program, I maintained a blog to document my experiences and insights. This blog served as a reflective space where I could analyze the projects I was involved in, share my thoughts on the intersection of art and culture, and engage with a broader audience. Writing about my journey helped to crystallize my understanding and allowed me to connect with others who shared my interests.

A Foundation for Future Work

Completing my master’s degree at CIIS was a pivotal moment in my career. The knowledge and skills I gained have been foundational in my work as an artist and cultural consultant. The program’s emphasis on the integration of art, culture, and community continues to inspire my projects today.

If you’re interested in learning more about my work or exploring how we can collaborate on projects that blend art, culture, and community engagement, contact me. Let’s work together to create spaces that foster connection and inspire creativity.