About the Mural Project
ArtReach Orlando believes in the power of community and art to change lives and spaces.
In 2021, ArtReach commissioned local artists Maureen Hudas, Sabrina Dessalines, and Delia Miller to collaborate with a group of ArtReach students to design and paint a mural on the exterior of our Community Classroom. Our dream was to make the outside of our Community Classroom more welcoming to the young people we serve, create a transformative experience for youth and the community, and provide economic opportunity for local and emerging artists.
Our young artists answered the question "What do you love to create?"
Their ideas and original artwork served as inspiration for our mural artists. The children's portraits were incorporated into the mural and they participated in a series of workshops to learn how a mural is created from start to finish. They even had the opportunity to help paint the mural alongside the artists. Together, we named the mural "Art Grows Here."
Not only did we work together to create a beautiful work of art, but there's an even deeper value in the process...
...the relationships fostered between the youth and the mural artists, the sense of connection and belonging to a community, the conversations about the creative process, and the opportunity to learn from one another.
Artists are in a unique position to help young people realize their full potential by activating their innate creativity and confidence.
Our mural project provided an opportunity for young people to dream up a large-scale collaborative work of art to represent their vision. This experience has made a transformative and lasting impact on all of the participants and our community.
ArtReach Orlando has partnered with Snap! Orlando through their CITY UNSEEN project to create a new dimension to the mural by adding 3D augmented reality animation.
The mural comes to life and includes voice over from the youth represented in the mural to help tell the story of the mural and advance public awareness of ArtReach's mission. This new version of the mural can be experienced through Snap!'s free CITY UNSEEN app.
Arlington Arts is a partnership between ArtReach Orlando and McRae Art Studios.
The facility, located in Parramore, is a 10,000-square-foot building with studios for 23 working artists, space for exhibitions, and ArtReach Orlando's Community Classroom.
Since 2018, ArtReach Orlando's Community Classroom has provided visual art classes and camps for local youth.
It's a place where young artists can explore the creative process through inquiry-based learning, hands-on studio art experiences, and interactions with professional artists. The Arlington Arts Mural Project transformed the outside of the building, so that the exterior now reflects the inspiring programs that occur within its walls.
Our hope is that young people from around the community will see the mural and know there is a place where they are celebrated and supported...
...a place where they can create, connect, and heal through the transformative process of art.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED BRING THE MURAL TO LIFE!
You can read more about the project in this Spectrum News 13 article by Julie Gargotta!
In the Parramore Community
Sabrina Dessalines
Sabrina Dessalines is a freelance fine artist located in Orlando, FL. She mainly works with acrylics and oils. In her artwork she aims to capture the love and intimacy in loved ones and to highlight the beauty in black women. Her products include her original paintings, fine art prints, and phone cases. She also does commissioned work when available.
Maureen Hudas
Maureen Hudas was born and raised in the Philadelphia area where she studied fine art at Moore College of Art and Design. She then obtained a BA in Interior Design from the University of Dayton in Ohio. Over the years Maureen has combined her love of fine art with interior design by designing and executing murals for both residential and commercial spaces. After moving to Central FL in the 90’s, she worked on a wide variety of Scenic Art projects for a number of the theme parks in the area. Currently, Maureen is trying to do more freelance work that involves community projects where she can mentor and share her knowledge with young aspiring artists.
You can learn more at her website, www.maureenhudas.com.
Delia Miller
My name is Delia Miller and I’ve had a passion for art ever since I could remember. I was born and raised in Apopka, Florida and recently graduated from Apopka High School. This summer I had the chance to paint my first local mural and look forward to many more following. From canvases to 10-foot walls, I search for opportunities to impact those in my community and beyond through art and creating.
