Mountain View YDC (Youth Development Campus) to Participate in Emanuel Project Mural

The Mountain View YDC in Jefferson County, Tennessee will participate in a nationwide arts program called the ‘Emanuel Project’. The motivational arts program offers a compelling mural project to provide youth in detention a unique hands-on opportunity to work with the nationally renowned painter, sculptor and muralist Emanuel Martinez, as he paints a 558 Square-foot mural specially designed to enhance the Mountain View YDC.

“This program makes a powerful impact to improve the lives of incarcerated youth like those at Mountain View YDC by helping students strengthen their communication skills, build self-esteem and bolster academic performance through a mural process,” said Emanuel Project Program Founder Louisa Craft Jornayvaz. Known for her work as an advocate for at-risk youth, Jornayvaz says the Emanuel mural project is supported with art curriculum and art therapy programs, as well as research to help document the program’s impact among committed youth.

“This is a tremendous gift for the youth here at our facility,” said Kenyon Patterson, History Teacher at the Mountain View YDC. “It’s not only a great opportunity for our students to learn about the mural process, but even more, it’s an honor for our students to work with Emanuel Martinez who is a great mentor and accomplished artist,” said Patterson.

Artist Emanuel Martinez began his own artistic career at age thirteen as a youth-at-risk at the facility for juvenile offenders where he painted his first mural. Two years later, after being incarcerated three times and winning statewide art competitions, Martinez established his reputation as an exceptionally talented artist.

With help from artist Bill Longley, Emanuel re-enrolled and graduated from school, winning two art scholarships. By age twenty-two, Emanuel had worked with the most significant muralist in the world, David A. Siqueros, completing three art works now part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of American Art Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Youth at Mountain View YDC will begin working side by side with Emanuel Martinez on August 13, marking the start of this amazing mural project titled “Windows of Opportunity.” The Mountain View students will work alongside Emanuel on the 9 x 62 foot wall mural to depict the importance of education and the many choices young people will encounter during their lives.

As muralist, painter and sculptor, Emanuel occupies outstanding status among national and internationally known artists. Since establishing a studio in 1968, Martinez has received national acclaim as a forerunner of the contemporary mural movement in the U.S. He has received prestigious awards for his design capabilities and for engaging young people in art projects requiring high standards of workmanship. Emanuel’s “Windows of Opportunity” mural will be unveiled at Mountain View YDC on August 23rd at 10 am.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Emanuel Project and grateful to the supporters of this innovative program,” said Teacher Kenyon Patterson. “It incorporates art into our education curriculum to reach youth who may not respond to traditional teaching methods. It helps engage them in academics and facilitates success in the classroom.

Since the Emanuel Project began in January 2011, thirty one murals have been completed in twenty juvenile detention centers in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas. A total of 20,521 square feet of murals have been painted in total.

Located in Dandridge, Tenn., Mountain View Youth Development Center is a state-operated residential facility that serves up to 144 male juvenile offenders 13 to 18 years of age and provides treatment program opportunities.This treatment facility is a division of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. Established in 1990, the center operates a more than a 20-bed sex offender program and an over 10-bed alcohol and drug abuse prevention program. It also offers on-site mental health services, family therapy, a health clinic, dental clinic, eligious activities, and educational and recreational services. The center also operates an on-site school that offers course work leading to a high school diploma, vocational programming, special education services, general education development test preparation and career counseling. Its treatment program offers case and behavioral management, and individual and group therapy. Mountain View Youth Development Center is approved by the American Correctional Association.

Directions:

I -40 East or West to Exit 417 in Dandridge TN

Then head SOUTH for approx. ¾ mile on Hwy 92 towards Downtown Dandridge

Turn LEFT onto Industrial Park Drive

Mountain View YDC is approx.. ¾ mile on the right On Peal Lane

809 Peal Ln, Dandridge, TN 37725

For additional information call (865) 397-0174

For information on how to participate in the Emanuel Project log on to www.emanuelproject.org or contact Dr. James “Randy” Minnick, executive director, at 229-938-7362 or rminnick@theminnickgroup.com .