Macon Violence Prevention Program Connects Students to the Community through the Arts

“Love is the main thing” is now painted on a retaining wall along Main Street, just down from the Mill Hill East Macon Arts Village, thanks to about 20 students on break from seven schools this week. The new mural is almost across the street from another retaining wall mural painted by other students in the camp this past fall. That one reads, “Be Positive. Be Love. Keep Macon Safe.”  

“It’s magical the amount of positivity these children are bringing to our community, simply by displaying their gifts,” says Randy Heart, the Teaching Artist who designed the murals. “Anyone can be the spark for something good…and each of these children are a spark for the world around them.”  

The murals – and the gaggle of student photographers documenting the process this week – are part of the Heart & Soul Workshop, hosted by Pulse: The Heartbeat of Macon. During the students’ three-day break, they took art and photography lessons, heard from successful artists and creative entrepreneurs, and worked on art and photography projects, like the murals.  

“I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been pretty fun,” says 6th grade student Lauren Shelley as she paints one of the yellow letters. “[Painting] is easier on a canvas, but it’s more fun to do it outside.” 

“I’ve always liked photography, so this has been exciting. I’ve learned a lot about new camera settings and how to use different lighting,” says 6th grade student Lila Atteberry as she snaps more pictures of her fellow campers and checks to make sure they turned out like she wanted. “You really have to connect the photo to the story; I can’t just take a picture of a tree and attach it to the camp.” 

According to Dsto Moore, local photographer and Heart & Soul Teaching Artist, the students haven’t just been painting and taking photographs. They had to make other community improvements before the artistry could begin, pointing out they had to clear the weeds and brush off the wall, clean off the nearly unwalkable sidewalk, and pick up litter.  

“We’re showing [these students] how art can positively impact the community,” says Dsto Moore. “We’re showing positivity and having them create something tangible that connects Mill Hill to the larger neighborhood.” 

“It’s been great to see the neighborhood reaction. Neighbors have come out to thank them and give them drinks and snacks, and people have even slowed down as they drive by to thank them for their work,” says Tray Shelley, Heart & Soul Teaching Artist. 

 “It makes me feel like we’re appreciated for doing this,” adds Lauren of the attention the neighborhood has shown them. 

The murals were designed by Teaching Artist Randy Heart to be more than just a beautification project…to truly connect the community to the vision of the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program. They are meant to surround and infuse the neighborhood with encouragement as a reminder this is a positive, uplifting community with people that care for each other. Also, by having brightly colored murals can serve as a speed calming device as people slow down to look at them; it’s been noted by neighbors that people speed down that road much too often.  

“We’re trying to instill certain characteristics in these children that will help them be part of our community, to bring out their artistic,” says Heart. “I wanted to do something…to provide children something…that wasn’t being done elsewhere.” 

The Heart and Soul Workshop is funded with a $25,000 grant from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG). It’s an alternate school break program providing mentorship for children ages 6 through 12 with interactive projects that teach them how to be a citizen-artist by master teaching artists.  

“We believe mentoring students in arts for civic impact teaches them that you have a bigger voice by picking up a paintbrush or a guitar than a gun,” said Project Manager Julia Morrison. “All our teaching artists are experts in their field and identify as teachers and fathers, providing direct success stories for our students to emulate.” 

“I’m so thankful all the right people came together to make this happen for so many children and to benefit our neighborhoods and artistic community,” adds Heart. “We talk to them about the importance of art, why it’s important to keep their community clean, and how much we love them for who they are and what they are capable of doing.” 

In previous camps, students have created a positive mural on a block of Main Street on a retaining wall that encompasses two blighted properties and cleared the block of trash and debris – this is a traffic calming measure and allows for better pedestrian access. Students “upcycled” 16 pairs of used shoes, learning about sneaker art and shoe restoration techniques, and donated them to Brookdale Resource Center.