Today I learned a lot of neat things by talking to folks in the community. I met a mechanic, exhibitions designer, a mom, a grandmother, and a man named Casey.
The mechanic said he has seen painters out in the area before painting in a group. I’ll have to see if an artists association is in existence here.
The designer (and retired painter) told me about a community program called “STEP” Or some acronym similar to it in Somerville. It stands for something like "suicide epidemic Somerville prevention". This program wanted to get more attention and bring issues to the public’s eye. It was started in reaction to a large number of teen suicides happening in early 2001 in Somerville. So they had local artists come in work with teens and at the end they have a show at Somerville Museum. The goal that I gathered was to create a place where the teens can increase self-esteem and connect with others. The show for this year is actually up now. He also told me that a bunch of artists from Medford were trying to get a specific building that was unoccupied. The city decided to do something else with the building.
A mom told me about a program in Medford her daughter participates in called "Roots and Shoots". In this program they walk around the river, learn about it, and clean it up. She said her daughter might want to come out and paint but that she was not creative.
A grandmother I met told me her son used to doodle a lot and now does paintings of animals. She too did not want to paint when I offered it to her. She also seemed happy to see people painting her town.
Lastly, a tall man walked by with a yellow jean jacket. He was friendly and asked me what I was painting? So I explained it and low and behold he said he would give it a try. His name is Casey and his painting is below. It came out great! While painting he told me he grew up in Medford and when he was a kids he went to the community center and did art stuff. I also learned he heard that Medford is building a new community center. I wonder where this is? However he told me the community center is at 111 Arlington Street. He had a blast and so did I as I painted some of the sky in. Thanks everyone who I met to day and especially a big thanks to Casey! Next painting time to be announced shortly.
