Joseph Perez Mural located at Dudley Ventures Headquarters, 22 East Jackson, Phoenix, Arizona

 

Artist Joseph Perez

Neighborhood Ministries - Phoenix, AZ

"The Mural is my representation of rebirth and revitalization of life. The hand represents how we all take a part in humanity and are essential to our society and world. The mural is filled [with] objects that represent sources of life and revitalization such as the sun, butterflies, seeds, and nature. After meeting with the Dudley Ventures staff, I felt the artwork created was a perfect fit for what Dudley Ventures is about, as a core."   ~Joseph Perez

Mr. Perez designed and drew the mural taking into account Dudley Ventures' mission of continuous growth and involvement with bettering low-income areas through development and rehabilitation. The art team consisted of: Ashley Macias, Micheal Soto, Noel Barto and children from the Art center of Neighborhood Ministries.

Neighborhood Ministries, started in 1972, is an outreach program for low-income families and at risk inner city children. They strive to prevent kids from choosing destructive life-styles, as well as intervening when youths are trapped in such lifestyles. NM encourages and supports academic success, by mentoring and tutoring through their "Partners in Learning" program. The group resides in and intentionally identifies with the neighborhoods they serve and helps the community residents to define their needs and priorities and design creative, culturally-relevant, sustainable solutions. This program is part of their Empowerment Art Center.

"Empowerment activities grew out of our long-term relationships with children and families and our goal of indigenous leadership development. As the children we knew and loved began to grow up, we realized that they needed educational support, preparation for the world of work, and service learning opportunities. Many of them began to volunteer in the programs of their younger brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. The educational programs, and the Parent Volunteers helped us learn that the children and families we serve need additional support if they are to break out of the generational cycle of poverty. The empowerment activities are designed to help men, women, and children build a cycle of hope and become leaders in their own families and communities."

Neighborhood Ministries