Global Kids transform bus shelter

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For members of the Global Kids club at Curtis, a new project is always some- thing to look forward to. So when they had an opportunity to create a unique mural for the bus shelter in collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier Staten Island, they jumped at the chance. This huge project started out with simple discussion. “Our kids were talking about health and wanted to do a social project. The Partnership For a Healthier Staten Island wanted a mural and once we came together we decided a mural on health was best,” said Ranti Ogunleye, the Global Kids co-coordinator along with Justine Ouano. The Partnership obtained an approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Parks Department, which oversee the bus shelter. From there, Global Kids leaders raised $500 through bake sales and other fund- raiser. Their proposal to the Department of Youth And Community Development also yielded a $3500 grant. Global Kids members met on Tuesdays and Thursdays to discuss what they wanted represented on the mural.

 

The design process, along with the actual painting of the mural, spanned from February to the end of June. Such a big project involved the contributions of some celebrities, including Scott Wagner, a comic book artist, and Gano Grills, a world famous graffiti artist. While Wagner helped guide the process of design, Grills scaled the wall of the bus shelter to make the images the correct proportions. They ended up working three weekends straight until the unveiling on August 8th. The project proved to be costly, requiring over $2,000 worth of paint. But the effort turned out to be worth it; creating a positive atmosphere and changing the overall image of the shelter. “I was really excited to be a part of this project. Every- day students wait for the bus at the shelter, and having a part to transform it to such a vibrant mural was amazing,” said Samrawit Hadgu. “We came out on Saturdays over the summer to paint. Tourists and people driving by would stop and take pictures of something we had not even finished.

 

They would shout encouraging words as they drove. Some people even let us interview them; all mentioned the different environment this mural would bring.” Global Kids tried to have the mural maintain a focus on health and environment. GK leaders feared that over time graffiti would deface their mural, but they were determined to keep pristine. Periodically they do touch ups and clean up the area. On Election Day, November 5th a crew of students cleaned it up.There was also a ceremony at Triangle Park, in which the City Council stopped by for the mural unveiling on August 8th. City Council- woman Debbie Rose, Parks commissioners, and representatives from the DOT and Parks Department were on hand for the ceremony.

 

All the Global Kids leaders who participated went to the borough president’s office for certificate awards and a light lunch. “We painted the mural to send a positive message to the community. I think it’s important to share GK be- cause all we do is good,” said Darcelle Hainworth.