Miracle Manor Mural Located at 2520 N.15th Ave.

The power of community was graciously demonstrated this past Saturday in the Miracle Manor neighborhood as the completed Miracle Manor Mural was celebrated. This great achievement clearly demonstrates the positive effects of neighbors coming together to make change in their community.

The mural was a coordinated effort between the Miracle Manor Neighborhood Association and Youth Empowerment Services Network.

On Saturday April 24, at the S & K Market,  2520 N. 15th Avenue (north of Grant Road), a dedication ceremony of this community mural was celebrated.  Guests included neighborhood residents, Council Member Karin Uhlich, Mayor Bob Walkup, and the Tucson Police Department.

Supporters include the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Lego Children’s Fund America, Pima County Attorney’s Office, PRO Neighborhoods, and the Ward III Council Office, along with other individual and business donations.

On February 6, 2010 over 50 neighborhood residents and friends participated in “community paint day,” to kick off the mural painting. Participants included children and adults of all ages, including Council Member Karin Uhlich.

Close-up portion of Miracle Manor Mural

The mural project included 18 2-hr. workshops with students from the neighborhood, who learned basic art and design principles, the history of murals in Tucson, went on mural tours, listened to oral histories from elder residents, and learned how to paint a mural. Additionally, neighborhood adult residents shared their photos and recollections of the development of their neighborhood since the 1950s.

The lead muralist Michael B. Schwartz taught the participants basic painting techniques and oversaw the completion.  I highly recommend you visit this web address to see the complete details of the stages of the mural’s creation: http://miraclemanorneighborhoodmural.blogspot.com/ Also visit the artists website to see his other murals and his other artistic creations.

This mural clearly demonstrates the  talents and benefits of the YES-Network . It is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization established in 2007.  The mission of the organization is to train, place, support and collaborate with other non-profits to empower youth, families and neighborhoods in need within the Tucson community.