Teens and Police
This Cleveland Police Foundation-funded project enabled a young artist to realize her powerful vision: a photograph of her shaking hands with an officer in riot gear. She explained, “I want to show they wear that gear to protect us. My handshake says I see that, and I want them to see me, too.” This art transforms a symbol of division i
This Cleveland Police Foundation-funded project enabled a young artist to realize her powerful vision: a photograph of her shaking hands with an officer in riot gear. She explained, “I want to show they wear that gear to protect us. My handshake says I see that, and I want them to see me, too.” This art transforms a symbol of division into a profound gesture of desired unity. It serves as a tangible blueprint for a safer future, demonstrating how purposeful acts of connection can bridge divides and build the mutual trust that creates stronger communities from the ground up.
Substance Abuse Stigma
"Funded by the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, this mural was co-created with individuals in recovery as part of a project that integrated art-making with a prevention curriculum. The entire process was designed to be a tool for change—empowering participants to share their stories and actively challenge the stigma surrounding substance use disorder through public art."
HIV prevention
HIV prevention
"Funded by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, this mural visualizes a young man's harrowing journey and his message of prevention. The composition, described by him, depicts a moment of crisis and hope: he lies in an ICU bed following a suicide attempt, with a nurse at his side and rays of sun bringing color into the room. His narrativ
"Funded by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, this mural visualizes a young man's harrowing journey and his message of prevention. The composition, described by him, depicts a moment of crisis and hope: he lies in an ICU bed following a suicide attempt, with a nurse at his side and rays of sun bringing color into the room. His narrative reveals the intersecting public health crises of suicide, substance use, and HIV risk, rooted in trauma and survival. This artwork transforms his lived experience into a vital tool for suicide prevention and health education, destigmatizing mental health and advocating for compassionate intervention."