Young LAYC Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers Artists Beautify Langley Park

The Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) and Arts on the Block were joined, on Tuesday, June 17, by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson, State Senator David C. Harrington, State Senator Jamin B. (Jamie) Raskin, other elected officials and community members in a celebratory event to mark the dedication of the “Turning Point” Mural. The theme of the mural is transformation – giving significance to the transformation of lives and the landscape of a community.

With the goal of giving out-of-school youth a unique learning experience and exposure to art, Arts on the Block, MMYC and a collaboration of community-based organizations and dedicated law enforcement, paved a way for the start of the “Turning Point” Mural project over a year ago. Brandon Pellecchia, a Montgomery County Police Officer, and Gretchen Hilburger of the Maryland International Corridor CSAFE, know first-hand what dangers come from gang “taggings” in a community. With a total commitment to this project, Officer Pellecchia and Ms. Hilburger became instrumental, along with other staff from municipal and community-based organizations, in finding the resources to bring this challenging project to fruition. It is truly this unique collaboration combined with the support garnered from individuals and businesses in the community that speaks volumes about the power of partnerships to create opportunities for underserved youth.

“Turning Point” apprentice artists, under the direction of AOB Lead Artist Carien Quiroga, have been given a chance to contribute to the community in a lasting way, as well as a chance to change their lives for the better. Visually, the mural, will be a stunning display of creativity and captures the unique artistic skills of youth apprentice artists.

Using public art as the basis for learning, the “Turning Point” Mural Project offered life skills, leadership development, job readiness training and stipends to out-of-school, at-risk youth in Langley Park, Long Branch and surrounding communities. While removing a "blank canvas" for taggers and graffiti art, the Project harnessed the creative energies of 22 youth throughout the program for the positive benefit of the community and contributed to urban revitalization by creating a permanent mural at the intersection of Piney Branch Road and New Hampshire Avenue in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.

The prominent 4,500 SF retaining wall at this location is a constant site for gang markings, which can promote gang involvement and imply geographical ownership by gangs, making residents, businesses and commuters feel very unsafe and wanting to leave the area. Prior to installation, two neighboring apartment complexes organized and supplied materials for the power washing, priming and painting of the wall and prepared it for the mural installation.

Meet the Artists

Carlos Aguilar, 22 - "I see how much color brings to the artwork."

“Art is a passion that I have,” says Carlos Aguilar, a 22-year-old resident of Prince George’s County and Two County Turning Point apprentice. Carlos says he has always loved to draw, and during his teen years, he expressed himself by “tagging,” using spray paint on buildings and walls around the community.

“I was young. At the time, I didn’t see it as being destructive.” After receiving his GED at 21 years old, Carlos worked hard, lending his skills at two different jobs. He met Nancy Morning of Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC), who mentioned an opportunity of working on a mural through the Two County Turning Point Mural Project. Nowadays, Carlos is a thriving apprentice working on the mural at the corner of Piney Branch Road and New Hampshire Avenue. He is making new friends and developing his skills as well.

Carlos says, “I have learned how to blend and mix colors and I have gained knowledge. I used to draw a lot in black and white but now I see how colors bring so much to the artwork.” Carlos’ goal is to pursue criminal justice as a career.

Lester Garcia, 22 - "My life has changed."

"I like to draw and I started drawing when I was six years old. Today, I am doing something for the community," says Lester Garcia, a 22-year-old Two County Turning Point Mural apprentice who provided some of the original concepts for the Turning Point Mural. Faced with several challenges while growing up, Lester recalls how his life was "like a bad dream."

Growing up, Lester Garcia witnessed youth violence and gravitated towards older boys as a seven year old looking for acceptance. During his teen years, Lester lived on the streets and survived confrontations that risked his safety. With keen survival instincts and the desire to pursue his passion, Lester found his way to the MMYCenter, where a case manager told him that “you need to be in art school.”

Today, Lester’s artwork is exhibited online at Art for the People, where he takes art classes every week. He attributes his pursuit of art to Arts on the Block and its lead artist, Carien Quiroga, “who helped me discover abstract art.” Lester mentions that one of his favorite artists is Bob Ross and he models some of his artwork from this talented painter. Lester’s journal is his constant companion, drawing sketches all the time. He also visits parks to draw from life and get books from the library to copy artwork.

Lester is a talented artist who enjoys working in watercolors and has a commitment to creating opportunities for himself and others. “Today, I take my time every day and think about what I want to change. I know that I can help others. My life has changed,” Lester finalized.