INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Bart Peterson will unveil a mural designed by middle school students in a youth service learning collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC).
In an effort to educate young people on the importance of proper pet care, pet overpopulation, and the importance of spay/neuter initiatives, muralists Janas Durkee and Amy Rheinhardt worked with YMCA after-school program students from Thomas Carr Howe and Crispus Attucks middle schools to create a mural to be permanently installed in the kennel hallway of Indiana's largest animal shelter.
"Proper pet care and pet overpopulation are important topics and we need to provide information about them to everyone in Indianapolis," said IACC administrator Jeff Bennett. "A service learning project such as this provides a wonderful way of guiding our children down a path of responsible pet ownership. And the mural will be an awesome addition to the shelter."
Completed over a six-week period, the mural depicts dogs, cats and other pets in a variety of lively colors and settings. The artwork will brighten the kennel hallway and serve as a reminder to potential adopters that shelter animals make wonderful, loving pets.
Under the direction of Janas Durkee, muralist and art teacher with the Indianapolis School for the Blind, students from Howe Middle School worked on the project after school each Monday. Crispus Attucks students worked with professional muralist Amy Rheinhardt, a graduate of the Herron School of Art and former IPS art teacher, each Tuesday evening. Janas and Amy, both animal lovers, sought to translate their affinity for animals into a permanent piece of artwork for the shelter.
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, through its 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, provided funding for the entire project including paint, supplies and transportation for the 20 students who participated in the creative community education venture. The 21st Century program is designed to create opportunities for academic enrichment in an array of activities, ultimately helping students meet state and local academic achievement standards.
For more information please call 317.327.1384 or email shardima@indygov.org.