Alicia Keys

Acrylic paint on parachute cloth

47 x 27 inches (unframed)

**100% of the proceeds of this artwork go to the Color Me Back program

Statement:

These images were created as part of the Color Me Back program's Mother's Day celebration where the participants selected 3 noteworthy women to research as a group, create short presentations on, and present 3-5 important facts about each of the individuals. With this participants also created painted portraits of each of the three women and countless bouquets of flowers which were all put together as a large display for our studio window. The entire display was put together over the course of 4 weeks and it was a collaboration between CMB lead teaching artist Alvin Tull, assistant artist Michael Belo and between 30-40 CMB program participants.

Bio:

Color Me Back: A Same Day Work and Pay Program is an innovative new initiative that combines participatory art-making and access to social services in a unique model offering individuals who are experiencing economic insecurity an opportunity to earn wages. Designed in partnership with the Scattergood Foundation, SEPTA, the Sheller Family Foundation, and Mental Health Partnerships, the initiative is managed by Mural Arts' Porch Light community wellness program, a collaboration with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. Participants are recruited through outreach and have the opportunity to connect, contribute, and engage with outreach specialists who can link them with support services, including social and/or behavioral health services and potential opportunities for longer-term employment while working in the program.

https://www.muralarts.org/program/porch-light/color-me-back-a-same-day-work-and-pay-program/