UCP of Central Ohio and Great Western Academy, an Imagine School, recently completed and installed a mural at the Dowd Center library thanks to a generous $1,000 grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). The project, entitled The Art of Building Character, provided a fun learning experience for fifth grade students, while incorporating a mentorship opportunity for artists with disabilities.
The mural's theme was centered around characteristics and behaviors that successful people in history exhibited during their lives and is meant to promote positive behavior to the youth in central Ohio. Students who attend the after-school programs at the Dowd Center took part in a contest to name the mural, which is fittingly called "Harmony."
Prior to beginning the mural, UCP's participant artists and students from Great Western Academy attended a lecture and discussion about character traits. After identifying positive character traits, the students and artists integrated citizenship, kindness and integrity in the mural for the Dowd Center. The Dowd Center is part of the Homeless Families Foundation, which provides an after school and summer program for homeless and at-risk youth. The Dowd Center has approximately 125 participants and provides them with a curriculum to overcome their obstacles. In addition, the center offers a place where children can succeed academically, regardless of their background.
UCP of Central Ohio would like to thank the Greater Columbus Arts Council for their support in making this educational and artistic endeavor possible. Students, participants, artists and the community at large, all learned the importance of inclusion, acceptance and how learning can be fun. This collaborative effort enhances the cultural knowledge of elementary-aged children in greater Columbus through integration of art and textbook curriculum, in addition to creating an opportunity for artists from UCP to become mentors to the children. The Art of Building Character project also fits well into the framework of the GCAC Neighborhood Arts Program, because this funding enables UCP of Central Ohio's artists to develop artistically and improve learning experiences and quality of life for many students for years to come.
For more information regarding this project, please visit the UCP of Central Ohio Web site or contact Gina Ginn at (614) 279-0109 x209.
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