Open the Sky

Mural with Teens at Dane County Juvenile Shelter Home
2402 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704 (Ohio Street Garage)

This project was in collaboration with The Bubbler’s Making Justice Program. I appreciate your support!

What does this mural mean to you?

“A strong person, through their experiences and journey is finding their power, coming into focus by letting go of the way they were told the world works. Allowing judgement of ourselves and each other to melt away, what we perceive as limitations dissolve with it and we take the reins aligning with who we’re meant to be. Opening to possibility, dreams become reality when we open the sky.” - Audifax

“I feel like it represents freedom and how everything overlapped, it’s starting to show it’s face, it’s voice.” -Teen Resident

“Let folks who never had a voice, have a voice finally and opportunities and do the things they never could. Finally let everybody be equal.” I love the mural though, I love the eyes, I feel like it looks into your eyes.”
-Teen Resident

“It feels as though she’s coming out of something, into a new something. That’s what I feel about it when I see it. The eyes tell the story, the eyes say “I’m coming OUT! I see the future, it’s my time… it’s my time.” - Ivie, Classroom Assistant

“You are limitless.
Glass Ceiling shattered.
Create your own storm.
Create your own calm.”
-Britt, Shelter Teacher

Mural Creation

Workshops

We jumped on the chance to start painting with the first teasing of spring weather in early April, and over the course of the month, spent whatever days the transitioning Wisconsin climate allowed. But first, in February, we began workshops making a layered project that would influence the design, leading up to our mural. Through our time together, I wanted to use a variety of mediums for the teens to discover something new or have fun with tools they used in the past. Our first workshop I spoke about clouds, their scientific meanings and how someone standing next to you looking at the exact same cloud can interpret it in a completely different way. This idea applies to our lives; since we are unique, we think, feel, see individually, as our experiences play a part in our perception. A Japanese inspired design was a template for our background, as I presented different artist’s interpretations and projects involving clouds from around the world, including fellow street artist Miles Toland’s realistic sprayed sky I happened to see online that morning.

Next we added a mandala, and in this workshop I discussed the difference between making art for the passion vs. glory. Explaining most of the street art I’ve done has disappeared in days to weeks, especially abroad, so what’s the point? My personal reason; I’m passionate about what I do, and grow with each piece I make even when no one is there to see it. A few were new to mandalas, and were surprised at how quickly the time passed as we put on some music and lost ourselves in the process. After letting the flow take over, they got a glimpse into why the Tibetan monks painstakingly tap granules of sand into gorgeous formations only to wipe them away. Another week with a different student, I had the presentation and project planned, but the teen resident was really into the paint markers, so instead we had fun playing music and talking about art… all about that flow!

The final workshop applied a central image of our choice, and after discussing a brief history of collage ranging from Picasso to street art, we gave it a try. They had pictures on hand if nothing came to mind, and were encouraged to explore what represented their personal power. My focal point was a tree, showing roots just as big as it’s branches. Reminding to be grounded / connected in integrity with what you’re doing by looking at your reasons for why you’re doing what you’re doing. Finally, it was time to bring the mural to life using these ideas and elements in the design.

Mural Time

The invitation to get involved in the mural creation was extended to teen residents, and like any activity, some were ecstatic to put down the first layer of background and others were wanting to leave after 20 minutes. For some, it was their first time picking up an exterior paint brush, and seeing the design exclaimed “we’re supposed to paint THAT!? How are we going to paint that!?” We threw on some music and over the course of a month and a half, layer by layer I showed them. There is a lot involved that you wouldn’t expect, so most times there was plenty to help with. Teens that come and go in the shelter have varying interests, so I wanted to give more kids a chance to paint if they felt up for getting outside and trying something new. What looks incredibly intricate has portions that need to be scraped or filled in, and anyone feeling a little intimidated wanting to give detailing a try, I said “give it your best and if it doesn’t turn out, paint over it.” As the painting progressed, I had no idea what was going on in their lives and for our brief time together, it didn’t matter. We worked sometimes in silence, other times talking about life, and at one point they showed me some dance moves.

My favorite part of this whole project was seeing something with so much beauty and intention come to life through so many hands. After an intense year for all of us, being together in-person felt really important, especially after winter. People from the neighborhood were walking by, the sun was shining, music was playing, the vibe of a positive transition resounds in this piece, thanks to everyone. The challenge was moving on after a month of connecting with the residents and staff at the shelter and the Making Justice Program crew at the Central Library. I think you can get a sense of what our time together meant and our dedication to this project, if you step off the bike path and walk past what used to be an ordinary garage door.

”THANK YOU!” to Teen Residents, Jesse, Carlee of The Making Justice Program, Shelter Staff- especially Britt, Ivie and Suzanne, and Local Community. After spending time with all of you, I know why they call it shelter “home.”

To book your school / community mural email: audifaxart@gmail.com