Not all of my murals plans were set as I boarded the plane and headed to the Holy Land. I knew that there would be three or four murals, with the hopes of more, but the plans just were not all finalized. This second mural was one I wasn’t completely sure about. Through my connections at the U.S. Embassy, my friend Molly introduced me to a local Jewish artist name Zipi Mizrachi. There was no hesitation in her mind. There was only one school that needed this kind of special encouragement. As far as Zipi was concerned, I was going to create Mural 67 at The Painter’s House School.
Zipi has an art studio/gallery/coffee house/community center in what used to be the home of Israeli artist Pinchas Litvinovsky. I’m not exactly sure of the connection, but he owned or was affiliated with the building next to the studio and across the street. Both of the buildings are now a part of The Painter’s House School.
This school is so very special and the teachers there change lives, just as all teachers hopefully do. The students who attend this school, 55 young men from age 13 to 21, have all struggled and failed in other schools. They were kicked out and found themselves at the doorstep of one of the few schools that would take them in. There are so many issues facing these students ranging from austim, ADHD, anger issues, abuse, drugs, dysfunctional family situations, low self-esteem, and the list goes on and on. But, so very wonderfully, at The Painter’s House they have found a family and a place to succeed.
When I met with the principal, three art teachers, and a few others, it was clear that they wanted this family theme to be the focus of the mural. Of course, I thought “Family” should be the word hidden in plain sight on the mural. Problem was, it’s just too dang long when you write “Michpeacha” in Hebrew. A shorter word, just as fitting is “Together”, which is “Yachad”. Of course, I also wanted to have a large Hebrew message across the middle of the mural. The phrase that was selected roughly translates as “A place that provides opportunities.”
As for the artwork, there is a trio of good friends front and center of the mural. On the right there is a teacher giving a student a hug. I saw lots of hugging at this school. Friends hugged their friends when they greeted them. Teachers hugged their students. Students hugged them right back. It was an excellent location to build a community and self-esteem. As for the rest of the mural, I included activities that the students participate in at The Painter’s House including carpentry, music, art, robotics, cooking, library, and animal husbandry. Of course, as usual, a number is hidden in the design. This time it is the number 67.
Now, I can’t say that I witnessed a lot of these activities first-hand, but if you judge things by the cooking class, this is an amazing place to learn. The students go to local restaurants to learn skills and presentation. Now, I am very familiar with school food, and it doesn’t seem to vary all that much around the world. It usually isn’t something to write home about. But, I was served up the most amazing lunch that could have been in any fine restaurant. It was stuffed chicken accompanied with green beans and broccolini along with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. It was simply mouth-watering and amazing.
I know that there are issues that took place at the school that I never faced. The first day, a wall had been punched or kicked in with a gaping hole. Somebody was angry. However, when students came to paint with me, they wanted to be there. I didn’t have to face any kind of attitude or difficulties. I had the kids at their best. With these young men, they frequently have to put up a strong front in order to survive in a group. However, when you are painting side-by-side with the Mural Man and a couple other painters, none of that is necessary.
English skills among the students ran the spectrum. There were kids who spoke wonderfully, some who spoke nothing, and then limited English speakers who did way better than me in Hebrew. One of my best moments in the project was when one young man said, “This is a sentence that I never thought I’d say. I’m painting with a professional artist!” Another one of the boys, after just a few days, told me that he wished I’d teach at their school. I’m guessing that since I only know about four words in Hebrew, that just isn’t going to happen.
Lots of students painted once, but there were a few who really enjoyed it and kept coming back again and again. One boy, who hadn’t spoken much (or any) English surprised me when he said, “You’re a good man.” What did he see? How had that connection happened so quickly? I was so touched. Then, he said, “I like you.” Again, my heart was warmed and I knew I was painting at the right school. Through one of his English-speaking peers at the school, I told him how much his words meant to me.
Then, I got a hug.
I guess in a few short days, I really had become a part of The Painter’s House family.