Video Documenting Creation of Community Healing Mural Published by Community Justice Center

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

The Ithaca Tompkins Community Justice Center (CJC) invites the community to watch a newly published short documentary video on the healing process behind the creation of a new mural on the Ithaca Commons. The CJC is a collaborative between the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County responsible for implementing joint Reimagining Public Safety initiatives, including community healing activities.

The video follows along the process of envisioning and creating the mural in the spirit of community healing. It features program leaders, local artists, and Black Girl Alchemy Program participants considering what healing looks like to them and how it can come to life for the community through art.

Along with the video, the CJC has published classroom activities for young people to engage with the concepts of community healing through artistic self-expression and reflection. An instruction guide and worksheets are available for download, or can be picked up at the History Center in the Tompkins Center for History and Culture and at Community Resource Hubs throughout Tompkins County.

The mural was designed by local artists Annemarie Zwack and Terrance Vann alongside participants in Southside's Black Girl Alchemy Program. Black Girl Alchemists were asked to envision what community healing and justice look like to them when brainstorming concepts for the mural, their concepts were then brought to life by local artists. Throughout the development of the mural the Community Justice Center, staff at Southside Community Center, and the local artists held working sessions with Black Girl Alchemists to further explore concepts of community healing and storytelling through artistic expression.

The mural is located on the South-facing façade of the Tompkins Center for History and Culture (110 North Tioga Street) on the Ithaca Commons, it was officially unveiled to the community in June.

Project Director of the Community Justice Center, Monalita Smiley said, "This video is a look into the process that led to a beautiful mural and the healing journeys of program participants. I hope that community groups and organizations working with young people will use these materials to further the work of healing and to find pride in that journey. Our community has so much healing left to do - I see it as a never-ending process of self-reflection and community engagement that we all need to participate in." Smiley added, "The CJC is finding ways to have these conversations all across the community, it is great to see youth so interested and engaging in this way. Thank you to the artists and the Black Girl Alchemy Program for adding a new shining example of what we can do when we come together to support each other, right in the heart of our community."

The "To Grow, You Must Plant Roots" mural video was produced by Rob Henry, Tompkins County Media Production Assistant. View more Tompkins County videos on its YouTube channel.