The ARTree Community Arts Center

Developing the Roots of Creativity

Projects — The Ever-Changing Wall

This is what commuters see everyday as they make their way through Railroad Ave. Old Town Newhall.

And that’s what this project is all about….blank walls that are revived with life, the lives of everyday people. People like children, seniors, mothers.

The idea was originally brought to The ARTree by Ralph Nielsen, one of our newest ARTree buds. He had seen a video on the TED conference website about an artist that had started an art revolution that was impacting people by using art to bring to the forefront important issues facing society and the world.

We were so inspired by this video that I wanted the ARTree to adapt this unique concept as a mural project.

We’re very excited about the  potential of this latest ARTree project “The Everchanging Wall” it gives The ARTree Community Arts Center another unique opportunity to involve children throughout The Santa Clarita Valley in a project that is sure to bring attention to an area that is on the verge of becoming the Arts District that we are all envisioning.

It’s all about the people. Especially the faces of children, they are fascinating, their smiles, their funny facial expressions, and their wonderful innocents. They always tell a wonderful story. Imagine those faces on a wall 18 ft. high, 160 ft. across, one next to the other smiling or making funny faces…not in color, but black and white, standing out against a blue sky.

The Materials

  • Printed on regular white paper with a large scale printer that prints images 44 inches wide by whatever size length (in our case 18’).
  • Wallpaper paste.
  • Large wallpaper brushes.
  • Tall ladders.

People Involved

Subjects: children from The Newhall Community Center, The Boy and Girls Club and other organizations.

Photographers: SCV Photography Center has volunteered their time to supervise teens from all over Santa Clarita in taking pictures of young children.

Printer: Large scale printer – Adriane Rodriguez (an ARTree Bud) is volunteering all labor cost to print the pictures.

Application

After the pictures are printed in large strips they will be wallpapered onto the wall by the Teens with the help and supervision of qualified ARTree staff.

The Building

Joseph Jasik the owner of The German Autohaus originally approached us about a mural on his 100‘X18’ front, by 30‘X18’ (side wall) he wanted a painting depicting foreign cars. After our presentation he warmed to the idea of having faces of kids on his wall.

The Ever Changing Wall Mural accomplishes many things

  • Brings attention to children and makes a statement about how important art is to the children in The Santa Clarita Valley.
  • Brings people in and around The Santa Clarita Valley to the area, wanting to see the mural.
  • The ARTree makes a statement about our commitment to the arts and children.
  • Beautifys a blank wall that faces a well travelled commuter road, including the Metro-link.
  • Builds pride for the citizens of the area, that this project is in their neighborhood.
  • Makes a statement about the area, that it is filled with families that care about their neighborhood.

The Overall Vision

This wall is an ever changing wall, in other words, as parts of the wall wear down and get tattered they would be replaced by other photos of children. It is an ever changing wall that would continually bring people and attention to the area.

Every season this wall will make a different statement about people, senior citizens, mothers, fathers, veterans. etc.

PLEASE JOIN THE ARTree community arts center in this great endeavor that reaches far and wide across all demographics, age, culture, education, and involves the community by bringing to the forefront the focus on people and above all children.