Opening Doors with the Apprenticeship Program

You might know that Mural Arts has an Art Education program, but have you heard of our summer Apprenticeship program? Over the course of six intensive weeks, students who have already completed art classes with us take part in a paid muralism training.

We asked Anthony and Serena, two students from our site partner AIC (Achieving Independence Center) who are moving into our Apprenticeship program this summer, what having art in their lives means to them:

Anthony: “Art really means expression. When I was a kid, I had this terrible stutter, so I’d draw pictures of what I wanted, and that carries out in everything I do. When you first hear about art helping you express yourself, you think, Oh, these hippies don’t know what they’re talking about. But when you get down to it, you’re like, wow, this actually does help…once you start looking at different materials and artists from other areas, you start to absorb those walks of life, and become more conscious of what’s going on around you. You can see out your front door and think that that’s it, but there’s so much more, and art really helps to open that door…art’s really good at making you feel more.”

Serena: “I’ve been making art since as long as I can remember. I grew up with chalk and an easel—I’d go in the backyard and throw some paint everywhere. As I got older I’ve gone through a lot of hardships, and art is definitely an intuitive craft, so with all those emotions, like Anthony said, it’s a new door opening to other things. It really helps a lot. I’ve gone to art therapy and I’ve helped other artists, and it’s all really helped me grow. Art is a whole new world! There’s just so much to explore.”