Art is believed to play a pivotal role in shaping a society, and there is no better example than artist Stina Aleah, whose poignant artwork has made her a voice for change in the community around her. The talented young artist has always wanted her work to make a difference in the world, and she has worked on a number of collaborative as well as solo projects for this cause.
One of her many exemplary works is a mural that she painted for the Urban Community School of Cleveland, a project that is very close to Stina’s heart. With this particular piece, she knew she wanted to make an unequivocal impact with her art. After much deliberation, she realized that the community school in her own city was where she could use her art to make a positive statement. In this way, she hoped it would inspire and motivate young people to build their futures.
The Urban Community School, founded by the Urseline Sisters of Cleaveland, is dedicated to providing individualized education to children coming from various socio-economic backgrounds. The UCS has a “Whole Child Approach” towards learning.Their multifaceted approach towards fulfilling a child’s spiritual, academic, physical, social and emotional needs is highlighted accurately in Stina’s painting. She has also touched upon themes such as nurturing friendships, reading together, sportsmanship, and overall growth and development for children. She plans to paint more than one mural to achieve a complete and holistic picture of what the school stands for.
Stina’s mural perfectly depicts the innocent process of learning: Three kids can be seen engrossed in a book unaware of their surroundings. The site of children from diverse backgrounds coming together to enjoy the process of learning beautifully portrays a side of humanity that is rarely depicted. Overcoming our differences and coming together to admire the world around us is one of the school’s core values, and Stina knew she wanted to incorporate this into the piece.
The artwork itself is inclined towards a polychromatic theme, deviating from her usual style. Stina proves her mettle and adaptability as an artist who can create a variety of pieces, all of whom resonate with her audiences. There are also figures of children playing in the background to touch on the theme of sportsmanship. Textbooks, being a fundamental part of any education system, are well fitted in the painting, with short quotes written on them. The mural, with its vibrant color theme makes it impossible to not stop and admire.
