Connecting communities through collaborative public art

North Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto" is arguably the birthplace of the sustainable movement in the United States. Working in conjunction with the North Shattuck Business Association, ACCI Gallery, MLK Middle School, neighborhood residents and businesses, and local youth, City Canvas will design and execute a large-scale mural on the south-facing wall (4,000 sq/ft) of 1625 Shattuck Avenue. The design will honor the history and power of sustainable food, local farmers, and food justice. City Canvas will facilitate community meetings to generate ideas for the mural and community paint days so that all can participate in the creation of this historic mural.

Phase I
As a way to engage the youth at MLK Middle School, Artist/Teacher David Stern-Gottfried will lead an after school mural class. This 4 month once-a-week workshop will involve many hands-on and creative art lessons about the full cycle of sustainable slow food. Youth will have the opportunity to work on projects to engage the community, fundraise and bring awareness to the project. The culmination of the class will result in individual stand-alone paintings from each student that will later be incorporated and installed on the final mural. These works will be shown at a local gallery or business for a large project fundraiser in early June.

Phase II
This summer a series of community meetings will generate a dialogue that David will transform into a mural design. Through iterations over the course of 3 meeting a final design will be selected and the mural will begin some time in the late summer/early fall. Once all needed funds are secured scaffolding will be erected and painting will commence. The painting period will last approximately 3 months, with a focus to heavily recruit volunteers from the community, Berkeley High, and other art and food organizations with youth outreach. A large mural dedication ceremony will be held at the end of November/early January.

Partners
City Canvas
North Shattuck Business Association
ACCI Gallery
MLK Middle School

Get Involved
The sustainable slow food mural has opportunities for everyone in the community to get involved. Whether you are looking to contribute occasionally or you want to be a leader in the project, the possibilities are endless. Here is a list of possible ways to contribute:
   -Organize community outreach / Generate awareness of the project
   -Design and distribute promotional material
   -Lead or help with the fundraising effort (phone calls, casual conversations, grant writing, in-kind donation coordinator, etc)
   -Lead or help with events (paint days, fundraisers, dedication ceremony, etc)
   -Paint
   -Donate!