New projects for May

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Mural Created by Kids at Rude Recreation Center

Denver Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Councilwoman Judy H. Montero, the Division of Youth Corrections, and two local artists to create a large scale community mural at Rude Recreation Center.

Delton Demarest and Jeremy Ulibarri, acclaimed graffiti artists, will instruct a group of 10-12 select youth from the Division of Youth Corrections on painting a mural in the pool area at Rude Recreation Center. The two local artists have painted multiple murals throughout the city including murals at the Sun Valley Youth Center, Swansea Recreation Center, Globeville Recreation Center, Athmar Recreation Center and the Santa Fe Arts District.

This restorative justice project is being coordinated through Montero's office and the Division of Youth Corrections, focusing on the theme of "repairing the harm." The project will create value for the recreation center as well as give the participating youth an opportunity to make a positive contribution to their community. The painting of the mural provides a great way for the participants to be positively engaged in the community and see how they can help their community instead of harming it.

The 15 feet by 70 feet mural will be painted this spring on six different Saturdays, beginning on Saturday, May 9.Rude Recreation Center is hoping the mural project will spark enough interest to start a graffiti art program at the center with Artists Jeremy and Delton as instructors after the mural is completed.

The Division of Youth Corrections is providing financial support for the program. Martin Friedman, a client manager and parole officer at the Division of Youth Corrections, will assist in choosing youth who will excel and be committed to the work to participate in the project. For more information contact Rude Recreation center at 720-865-0570