Virginia
An interactive mural that came alive to envision a future world where all youth are free!
In downtown Richmond, VA, located directly across from the VCU police station, youth activists built a mural to showcase their dreams of a world where all youth are free. The mural featured a vibrant tapestry that combined youth portraits, symbols of freedom, colorful shapes, and cosmic patterns.
Richmond, VA Police Station
2021
In 2021, Performing Statistics collaborated with young people for RISE for Youth and Code VA to create the mural which became the first ‘star’ within the Freedom Constellations campaign. The project connected youth advocates and youth coding students to build a one of a kind mural that came alive with interactive audio and augmented reality. Alongside massive portraits of each youth participant, motion sensors, LED lights and audio speakers were attached to the wall. When viewers walked by the youth leader’s portraits, the sensors would be triggered and the LED lights around each portrait would illuminate as the youth began talking to the viewer about the future they dream of through the speakers on the wall. By collaborating with the youth coders at CODE VA to do the programming for the mural, the project created a rare collaboration between a diverse group of students.
The mural also included QR codes that triggered multiple audio pieces, augmented reality experiences, and calls to action to connect viewers with the advocates trying to make the dreams within the mural a reality. Use the audio player below to hear the voices of each of the youth leaders who made the mural possible.
The mural stayed on display for over a year and was directly across the street from the police department. Positioned at 3rd and Broad st (one of the busiest intersections in the city), the mural received a feature article in the city’s largest newspaper and was viewed by thousands of people. This mural was only made possible through the hands and hearts of so many people. See images from the deeply collaborative process below.
I could be a hero to some kids and they could be like us.”—Kayla
I feel like public art is going to always be there. It can affect the future. When the police officers look out their window and see the mural I hope they feel challenged to make a change.”—Khai, 17
New world radio
As part of the mural, viewers could use QR codes to trigger a radio broadcast from the future. New World Radio was that broadcast, and it imagined through interviews, humor, and creativity, a beautiful world where no youth are locked up. The audio piece was produced for the interactive mural; Freedom Constellations: Dreaming of a World Without Youth Prisons in Richmond, VA. The mural imagines a world where no youth are locked up and people can hear the audio as they scan their phones over the artwork.
Credits
- PartnersCodeVA and RISE for Youth
- Youth muralistsIyana, Kayla, Khai, Kidaya, Ta’Dreama
- Lead muralistsMark Strandquist and Kate DeCiccio
- Creative assistantNaila Lyles-Elcock
- Mural assistantEmily Ellingsworth
- Audio/Video Teaching ArtistsJasmine Leeward and Nicki Stein
- CodeVA Eureka Workshop instructorsZach Mulcahey and Natasha Kovacs
- Youth TechnologistsI.Rodriguez and Jakson
- This mural was supported, in part, by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation and the Robins Foundation.
New World Radio
- Direction and EditingNicki Stein in collaboration with Iyana, Kayla, Khai, Kidaya, and Ta’Dreama
- Additional interviewsNaila Lyles and Mark Strandquist
- We Dream of a World Where No Youth Are Locked UPwritten by Iyana, Kayla, Khai, Kidaya, and Ta’Dreama
