Art Students Transform Parking Garage!

August 18, 2011 — Source: Trib Local Naperville — Author: IdaLynn Wenhold

KidsMatter, in conjunction with The Century Walk Corporation, is pleased to announce that the next phase of the KidsMatter Way Finding System is underway! Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley High School art students are painting murals to enliven the Van Buren parking garage elevator waiting areas. Last summer, Central High School, as the oldest high school in Naperville, completed the first level. There are 5 parking levels – and each level will be painted by one of the five District 203 & 204 high schools – starting with the oldest school and finishing with the newest. The design theme for each of the five parking levels will be based on the colors and mascots of Central, North, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley. In addition to helping garage patrons remember the level on which they parked, the project will express the pride that Naperville takes in its high schools and in its young people, reinforcing Naperville’s reputation as a community that prioritizes youth.

KidsMatter is grateful to Century Walk for making this project possible through the City of Naperville’s SECA funds that they receive. Timm Etters, a professional artist who has been working with Naperville schools for the last 20 years and has created over 60 murals in Naperville alone, has been engaged to work with the high schools’ art departments and students from each of the five high schools.

Each school will be asked to create a series of murals that symbolizes one of five Developmental Asset Categories: Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, Positive Identity and Constructive Use of Time.

Plans are underway for the remaining 2 floors of the Van Buren Parking Garage to be completed next summer by Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley High Schools. The KidsMatter Way Finding System, when complete, will be a one-of-a-kind message board that celebrates the incredible talents our young people have to share. Enjoy more pictures on KidsMatter’s website: www.KidsMatter2us.org .

KidsMatter equips youth and families with tools to manage the stress of everyday life through dynamic school and community programs, practical education, resources and youth recognition. We harness the power of partnership with parents, educators and an extensive network of community resources to help kids and families thrive.