OPEN SOCIETY i ) om) Bg (ae ZA FOUNDATIONS Issues REGIONS y cranrs, varces: Sparking Creativity, Sparking Hope Nar 2012 | Open Sacer isthe-Beltmare ‘Asan Open Society Baltimore Community Fellow, artist Jay Wott Sohlossoerg-Conen worked with the students atthe Iner-cty Leckerman-Buncy Elementary School to He create murals in the halvays that brighton the school and improve student attudes. “1 fg want to spark creativity," he said of his work with community murals athe city. "Not ‘everyone can paint, but everyone can eroato. We havo a theme, genorally about hopo SA * ‘and posabiliy. There is enough nigntmave ell arcund.” nal “The project brought together all members ofthe commurity—children, parents, @ reetien ‘grandparents and teachers ai aime when the community was eager for cohesion. ‘The walls of Lockerman-Eundy’s hallways used to be white. “Now i is a big burst of ‘co10,” the principal, Gyntnia Cunningnam-Evers, sad. “Everytime you go upstairs, you Teel Ike you wart to smile | oid not think it would make as big a difference as nas" ‘The choo, whiah orginally had boon slated to close because it was under performing, becama instoad a vibrant center for learning and now, other roseurees are recognizing the potential. For example, the Baltrrore Symphony Orchesira’s opened its OrchKids intatve there, teaching more than 150 students, Including Pre-K through second grade studen's, how to read end play jublant music, In an atmosphere of color and beautiful sound, city leaders and communty members ale are triled with tre transformation. “The Bazimore Community Fellowships Program supports wore in all areas of community ite, ncuding the ‘arts, puoic healt, crminaljusice, evil rights, economic justo, and media advocacy, Fellows are Incivcuals witn a sirorg vision and desira to serve and improve marginalized commmunties in Batimore ‘Many of the aver 120 individuals who have been named fallows have gone on to become cecogrized leaders in the cy,