New mural at BUILD showcases Austin youth’s passion and determination

When young people arrive at BUILD’s South Austin campus, they will see faces resembling theirs on the new mural at the northwest corner of its main building.

“I wanted to put up youthful faces looking inspired, looking determined, looking passionate,” said Chicago artist Dwight White at the mural unveiling on Oct. 12. “I feel like that’s what is inside of that building.”

Later that evening, about a dozen middle school participants in BUILD’s art program demonstrated their passion and determination during a master class in mural making led by White.

BUILD’s arts programs were initially created to divert young people from participating in gangs, offering them a space to learn new skills and be creative, said Rick Miranda, manager of the arts academy.

Today, they continue to provide free opportunities for nearly 70 local middle and high schoolers to learn, incorporating art and STEM with classes like fashion design, podcasting and music, woodworking and culinary arts. Program participant Ky’miarra said these programs are an opportunity to “learn new things and see new things in the community they’re in,” an opportunity kids in other neighborhoods take for granted.

Read the full story from Austin Weekly News here.