September 13, 2023
Painting for Peace
Around Town
COMMUNITY VOICES By Rodrick Burton. Pg. 2 BEST OF NORTHWEST COUNTY. Pgs. 4-6
Features
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3
Photos courtesy Michael Kilfoy Artist Ronald Young appears in front of his mural “We Matter Together” that was originally painted on the New Chinese Gourmet restaurant on South Florissant.
Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
Dozens of the murals created on storefronts along the streets of Ferguson following social unrest in 2014 will be permanently housed at the Delmar DivINe office building By Wendy Todd After the killing of Michael Brown, many in St. Louis experienced immense emotional suffering. Artists and community leaders came together to figure out how to help the community heal. The collaboration resulted in a project of creative expression called “Painting for Peace.” In November of 2014, 500 people gathered along the streets of Ferguson, Dellwood and South Grand in St. Louis and St. Louis County to create what resulted in 300 murals. The themes of the artwork were hope, change, equality, love, justice and peace. Now, dozens of the murals from the “Painting for Peace” movement will be per-
manently housed at the Delmar DivINe, an office building created by Build-A-Bear founder, Maxine Clark, which is occupied by programs and institutions that are equally devoted to social change and cultural legacy that will amplify its impact. A public gallery opening on Sept. 22 and 23 will be held at the location and visitors will get to see over 60 of the large-scale pieces. “Each brushstroke tells a story of resilience, compassion and the unwavering determination to stand up for one another,” Clark said. “These events also inspired the creation of the Delmar DivINe.” Carol Swartout Klein, who grew up in Ferguson, was instrumental in bringing the murals to the Delmar DivINe. “Carol’s tireless efforts have brought these
artworks to their rightful home at the Delmar DivINe,” Clark said. “We will forever be grateful. This 100-plus-year-old building has walls large enough and strong enough to properly host and honor this collection.” Klein wanted to find a way to preserve the artwork that was born from the care and resilience of the community. “It’s part of our history,” said Klein. “Delmar DivINe’s mission is to be an ongoing catalyst for collaboration that leads to positive change. It’s the perfect fit for this art and a true full circle moment that shows what we can accomplish when we reach across the lines that divide us to make something beautiful.” See ‘PAINTING’ page 2
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