PlatteForum Adds to Denver's Public Art Landscape with its First Large-Scale Mural in Globeville

Public encouraged to come down and see the kids and Jolt in action! Painting commences July 23 - 26, 2013DENVER, CO, July 22, 2013 — This week, Tuesday through Friday (July 23-26), youth in PlatteForum’s nationally recognized youth program, ArtLab, and muralist Jeremy Silas Ulibarri—known as “Jolt” in local circles—of Guerilla Garden will begin the painting process for large mural that will grace the 46th Ave. and Lincoln St. underpass in Globeville. The public is encouraged to visit the mural site to witness the creative process, participate in community interviews, and celebrate a new public art piece in historic Globeville.As part of the process, ArtLab youth spent the early part of the summer researching the community’s history and hosting community meetings to plan and conceptualize the mural in a way that honors the Globeville neighborhood. This week’s painting activities are a significant mark in the process of bringing together community, creativity, youth voices, and artistic excellence. The mural project is supported by Denver’s Urban Arts Fund, City Councilwoman Judy Montero’s office, Swinerton Builders, and Procoat Systems.The large-scale professional mural will be installed on the north side pillar of the underpass under I-70. Artist Anthony Garcia of Birdseed Collective will complete a second large mural on the south-side pillar. The project has special meaning for Jolt, Garcia, and several ArtLab youth—who all grew up in Globeville.District 9 City Councilwoman Judy Montero, who represents the Globeville community, remarked, "It is important for our urban youth to tap into their creativity and share their talent with their neighbors in Globeville. This public art project showcases their talent and civic pride and will be a tremendous gift to the thriving Globeville community."A community ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the murals to the public will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2013, to coincide with Mayor Hancock’s Denver Days. Several other beautification activities that will enhance the area around the mural and engage community members are also planned for that week.Additionally, the murals will be completed in time for a visit by President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter this fall as part of a special Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver project. Throughout the summer and fall, Globeville will be alive with activity—from the continuous painting and beautification of the 46th Street underpass area by youth and artists to numerous community events and celebrations related to the murals as well as the Carter work project.“The Globeville community mural is a great demonstration of the pride Globeville residents have for their neighborhood and will be a beautiful landmark that President and Mrs. Carter, along with more than 2,000 Habitat volunteers, will enjoy as they visit this community.” said Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

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About PlatteForumPlatteForum is an award-winning and innovative arts, youth-development, and artist-in-residence program in Denver that teams underserved urban youth (K-12) with contemporary master artists in intensive, structured, and long-term creative learning environments. Youth work side by side with resident artists to collaboratively plan, produce, and exhibit a body of work in an environment in which artistic excellence is highly valued. Youth in PlatteForum’s programs delve into a variety of art forms, confronting challenges and obstacles and making life-changing discoveries about who they are, what they are capable of achieving, and where they belong in the world. PlatteForum.orgAbout Guerilla GardenJeremy Silas Ulibarri [a.k.a. Jolt] founded Guerilla Garden, and his mission statement was simple: to build a creative space where local artists could collaborate with one another. He was successful in his mission, and Guerilla Garden has become one of Denver’s premier creative venues. Jolt achieved success by leading a team of Denver’s most talented young innovators. Guerilla Garden artists represent the very best in graphic design, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and filmmaking. A collaborative approach to creative problem solving is what sets Guerilla Garden apart from its peers. GuerillaGarden.comAbout Birdseed CollectiveIn 2010, Anthony Garcia Jr. and Michael Broberg co-founded BirdSeed Collective to create a place for local artists and youth to showcase their talents by being part of an art collective that promotes urban art and self-sufficiency through art workmanship. Birdseed Collective recently added an inner-city youth art program in youth go from “concrete to canvas” at Street-Kidz youth center in Globeville. With Garcia as the helm, Birdseed Collective has been successful in providing a platform for up-and-coming artists and completed over 65 exhibitions in 2012. Birdseed Collective supports all artistic genres and takes part in various projects that include art commissions, murals, music, fashion design, and silk screening. BirdseedCollective.com