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I think it’s common for most of us to think that one person cannot make much of a difference in the world. And, that kind of thinking can lead us to do a whole lot of nothing. That’s why the story of Maianna Faraf and Paint Jamaica is so inspiring. One person made a difference and it’s continuing and growing.
Farag, from France by way of New York City, first visited Jamaica in 2014. You don’t have to be in Jamaica long to know that Fleet Street in Parade Gardens is not the kind of neighborhood that most tourists normally go to. There are no beaches in sight and no stars by any hotels, if there are hotels. It is an impoverished inner city location. And, at 41 Fleet Street was the shell of an abandoned warehouse where Farag found inspiration. In a location where some people, most people, would see urban despair, Farag saw a concrete canvas. Farag knew that art could inspire a positive change in the community.
The Paint Jamaica team realized that it takes a community to transform a neighborhood with art. Yes, I took great comfort in that because it’s the same truth that I realized with my first mural when I began painting in Namibia so many years ago. The murals in this neighborhood are community projects, using both local and guest artists. And another thing I learned along the way was also happening in Paradise Gardens. I’ve learned to work with the community to gather their ideas for the murals. The same thing has happened in the work produced by Paint Jamaica. They discussed the issues in the community before designing the murals. They want to reflect their community through the murals created. The art reflects peace, community, cooperation, unity and inspires positive change in the neighborhood.
When I went to Fleet Street, I went with a local person. It’s always the best way to explore any new location, anywhere in the world. My friend knew that the narrow opening in a metal wall, across from the warehouse canvas, was actually the entrance to Life Yard (Facebook link). But, even knowing it’s the entrance, you still have to know to squeeze down the very narrow pathway on the right, between two buildings. It opens up to a small garden oasis where you would never expect one. And, in this oasis, students can safely study, play and practice yoga or capoeira. At the same time tourists can taste organic delights in the restaurant where they eat what they grow and grow what they eat. Additionally, visitors should sample the homemade juice bar combinations under tropical heat (which I absolutely recommend).
The Rasta men of Life Yard decided that positive action needed to be taken in order to take back their community from crime and violence. And, they had the hands to do just that. The people of Life Yard are multicultural, intergenerational and eco-friendly. Together they reach out to their neighbors throughout Fleet Street, across Parade Gardens and into neighboring communities. They are craftsmen, artists, farmers and teachers who want to help hone the skills of the children who live in their inner city community. And, they also work with adults teaching life and job skills.
It’s incredible to walk the street and wander through the warehouse to see what has happened on Fleet Street. But, unless you visit on the right day, you are not likely to see actual paintings going up on the walls. You will, however, find people who truly care about their community when you locate the Life Yard sign and wander back into their oasis. These people give the Fleet Street transformation an actual face that you might otherwise miss.
Paint Jamaica and Life Yard want to change the entire downtown area of Kingston. There is a lot of “canvas” yet to be painted. On Fleet Street the people have realized what art can bring into their lives. Jamaica, an island with rich culture and talented artists, is transforming one mural at a time. One woman’s dream is now celebrated by a street, across a community, throughout an island and around the world.
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