Mentoring Peace Through Art

Gang graffiti intimidates residents of the neighborhood, and warns intruders, trespassers from rival gangs, and even police officers that they are not welcome. It is also an advertisement for the sale of drugs. These locales rapidly become the nexus of petty crime and eventually lead to violent conflicts with other gangs. Mentoring Peace Through Art successfully completed anti gang graffiti projects receiving funding from the City of Minneapolis, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, Valspar, Carolyn Foundation, corporate building owners, and individuals. The projects consisted of painting murals on commercial buildings, garages, outbuildings, and fences owned by private citizens, in a proven gang-graffiti deterrent style. The program takes the form of engaging young individuals with those challenges that forge character, infuse confidence, and reward commitment.