Grassroots Community-Engaged Art: Back at It 2026

For 2026, I’m continuing my Mural Arts Program with the students at the Saugerties Boys & Girls Club.

Last year, the students and I worked together to create an EPIC mural on the side of their building. What began as an ordinary, overlooked wall became a vibrant Butterfly, wings outstretched in a garden of wonder - a massive work of art—created in collaboration with students and shared with the entire community.

This year, we’re continuing the story on that same wall.

The Chrysalis

We’re working slightly backwards this time. Our 2026 mural will explore the chrysalis—a powerful symbol of transformation, possibility, and becoming.

We’ve already had our first hands-on session, and moving forward, we’ll meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 4–6 PM, working together to bring this next section of the mural to life. If you know a student who wants to join...tell them to show up! Wear paint clothes and be ready to jump in.

Next year, we’ll complete the transformation with the caterpillar, creating a larger story across the wall.

Why I Do This

I started this program in 2009 as a way to give back to my community.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of students to create large-scale public art throughout the Hudson Valley, the Catskill Mountains, Florida, Minnesota, and beyond.

For many students, this is their first experience creating something on a truly monumental scale. They learn that their ideas matter. They learn how to collaborate, solve problems, make decisions, and see a project through from an empty wall to a finished work of art.

And then they get to walk past it every day and say:

“We made that.”

That is the heart of this program.

Help Us Paint the Next Chapter

Community art is incredibly rewarding—but it is also labor intensive.

I donate my time to teach, design, organize, prepare, transport materials, and work alongside the students. Paint, supplies, equipment, and other project expenses add up quickly.

That’s why I’m creating this GiveSendGo campaign: to help offset the costs of continuing this program and make sure we can keep creating meaningful public art with young people in our community.

Every contribution—large or small—helps put paint on the wall and gives these students the opportunity to make something lasting.

And if you’re not able to contribute financially, sharing this campaign is just as appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this project, support the students, and believe in the power of art to transform spaces—and the people who create them.

I’ll be posting regular updates as the mural takes shape.

Let’s see what we can create together.