Kids are using the old McDonald’s on Pearl Street in Albany as their unlimited canvas.
Muralist Jade Warrwick came up with the using the boarded up business to amplify Black artistry in the neighborhood.
“We just gave them the foundation; the kids came up with this whole design,” said Warrick.
The collaboration with Youth FX and A Block at A Time began with a multi-day workshop to ignite the young artists' creativity through dialogue.
“We asked them, 'What do you want to see changed in the world? What do you want to see changed in the U.S.? What do you want to see changed in your neighborhood?' ” said Warrick.
The answer, Warrick said, came in a form of art therapy, especially after the recent social unrest seen across the country.
”It was all about making sure they felt validated and that their lives mattered, their homes mattered, their communities mattered,” said Warrick.
From there, Warrick and other art volunteers guided the kids through their masterpieces.
“Most of these kids are pretty artistic, so they really don’t need my help, but I would like to help them to maybe extend their artwork to become an artist someday,” said Warrick.
That, they said, would be a mission accomplished for the Amplified Voices initiative.