WS Youth use Art to Advocate for Equal Housing

Homelessness is the theme of a new piece of public art in downtown Winston-Salem. 

Members of the Winston-Salem Youth Advisory Council representing public and private schools in Forsyth County have painted a new mural on the "Youth Expression Wall". It's on the Spruce Street side of Winston Square Park and at the right of the stairs leading to a walkway over the fountain. The theme is, "Fair Housing for All."

Each year, council members paint this wall with images reflecting the group's year-long projects. Students in the 2013-2014 group say their latest mural reflects their efforts to reduce homelessness in Winston-Salem. According to United Way in Forsyth County, there were 147 homeless children living in the county in 2011.

The students' mural depicts a home with a red door, a red outlined window and a brown roof. The exterior wall is decorated with rainbow hand prints, compliments of the student artists. The home sits behind a white picket fence that is bordered by yellow and red flowers towering over green grass. In the upper left corner is a yellow-orange sun shining warmth onto the home. In the upper right corner are pale, purple clouds floating near a quote by Dr. Maya Angelou, "The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." Above and within the home's roof is the mural's theme, "Fair Housing For All".

Several of the artists are graduating high school seniors. Annapate Glover will attend Appalachian State University. Kristy Sakano will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Asia Catral will attend Salem College. Since 2011, members of The Youth Advisory Council have decorated the Expression Wall.