The mural, spanning almost a half-block long, depicts the passion that young people have to build a better community. Transformed from normal brick wall to community art, it is something the viewer has to see in person.
When the mural was unveiled in late 2010, community members across West Fresno expressed amazement with the hard work and dedication put into it by the young artists. “It shows that anything is really possible if you just come together and create [it],” said Ricky Reyna, one of the youth artists. “[You] just got to believe you can do it.” The market has grown in popularity and many local residents often go by the mural to take photos of it or pose next to it.
Another opportunity to enjoy art in Fresno is at ArtHop through the Fresno Arts Council, which takes place every first and third Thursday of the month in different galleries and museums throughout Fresno. At ArtHop, community members can attend at no cost. ArtHop is a great time to enjoy local art and build connections with artists and community members. For more information on ArtHop, check out their website at fresnoarthop.org.
As Fresno grows, so will the art and the opportunities to enjoy art. For artists like Salazar and Gonzales, it is about trusting their heart no matter the outcome or recognition. “[Art] has given me a sense of identity,” said Salazar. “It’s who I am.”
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
