Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service captured the spirit of the projects initial phases in   this online article. This community mural was created in collaboration with artist Jeannette Martín and was completed with residents from the surrounding Muskego Way neighborhood. It is painted on the east-facing wall of El Rey foods overlooking "Butterfly Park'. Formerly a vacant lot at the busy intersection of S. 13th and W. Forest Home Ave, Juanita Valcarcel, then-Program Director of Southside Neighbors Helping Neighbors (SNHN) helped organize the initiative to restore the lot and paint the mural with support from staff and volunteer community leaders. The project was supported through Milwaukee Christian Center's Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP).  SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Official unveiling celebration with Mayor Tom Barrett as guest speaker Left to right: Arlene, me, Mayor Tom Barrett, Juanita. I couldn't have done this without Juanita's support, fl...

PBS series 'Wisconsin Life'  segment (nominated for a Midwest Emmy!) WE ARE MANY AND WE ARE ONE Milwaukee is my hometown; Gaia is a Greek word for 'Earth', and Buddha in this example means better understanding. Milwaukee Gaia Buddha is a symbol of the collective living spirit of our city, inclusive of all. She is born from the seed planted that inspires all of our hearts to work cooperatively for the common good. 'In La'kech' is a Mayan greeting meaning 'You are my other me, I am your other you' written on her leg in English, Spanish and Arabic. A little boy holds the Milwaukee Art Museum in his lap painting his vision in sweeping rivers of blues and purples across city sidewalks. The action of the brush links us to the stars, to each other, to our collective destiny on this planet. Of course, he isn't alone - all the other children of the city join him in his desire for the chance to express their raw potential as human bein...