Creative Greensboro Annual Report 2023-2024

Connecting Communities with Creativity Bringing Art Close to Home Creative Greensboro continues to support creative placekeeping initiatives through Downtown Arts and Neighborhood Arts: Curated Programs. Artist Emilio Marz brought new life to Random

Woods Park. Marz painted picnic tables, benches, and trashcans at the park with designs inspired by drawings from fourth and fifth grade students at nearby Alderman Elementary School. In appreciation for inviting him to work with their neighborhood for a second time, Marz created portraits of neighborhood leaders Ann Dean, Laquita Frye, and Barbara Washington.

“The experience with Emilio and the Neighborhood Arts program has benefited my students, helping the more shy students come out of their shell, and just in general, my students are more engaged in my art lesson,” said Alderman art teacher Zaria Knight. “I really appreciated and loved the experience.”

Hester Park was another site for community-engaged artwork. Greensboro artist Darlene McClinton installed a 10-panel mural entitled “Hidden Gems” on the Highway 421 retaining wall that faces the park’s lake. This mural celebrates the park’s natural environment. “Hidden Gems” is an example of what happens when community, City Council, creative leadership and talent work together. It was funded by residents of City Council District 5 as part of the City’s Participatory Budgeting program.

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