University City is unveiling a new 12’ x 8’ mural in the Delmar parking garage. The $47,800 project was funded in part by $11,100 from the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax (EDRST) fund and was completed by 21 paid student apprentices working with St. Louis ArtWorks. The goals of the program were to increase their well-being, visual arts knowledge, and work readiness skills and knowledge of the youth participants.
The mural will be unveiled at 11:00 am on January 18, 2020 in the U City Parking Garage at 6321 Delmar Boulevard. All are welcome to join the ceremony featuring mayor Terry Crow, University City Council members, and the student artists.
“University City has a long tradition of fostering the arts, and I am proud that we are able to support this public art project and the positive economic development impact this will have on our community,” Mayor Terry Crow said. “EDRST funds enable us to invest in our community, and this mural is a testament to our investment in the Loop and in the young people who created this public art.”
In August 2006, the City of University City levied a one-quarter percent sales tax on retail sales to be used for economic development. Through the EDRST, funds are being invested in University City programs and projects that encourage the physical and economic redevelopment of major corridors, improve infrastructure, support existing successful business districts, and enhance efforts toward business retention, expansion and attraction.
St. Louis ArtWorks was founded in 1995 as a collaborative partnership with Grand Center Inc, the City of St. Louis and the Regional Arts Commission. St. Louis ArtWorks is a year-round job training program using art to teach essential life and job skills to under resourced youth, ages 14-19. Programming takes place after school and on weekends during the fall and spring, and for six weeks during the summer. Throughout the program youth work alongside their peers and professional teaching artists to develop art, life, and communication skills helping to lay a foundation for a successful transition to life after high-school.
“ArtWorks’ staff, Board, and Apprentices are so grateful to University City. It meant a lot to our youth to have this opportunity, especially because it will be in a place that is so visible and available for them to come see,” said Susan TeStroete, Assistant Director of STL ArtWorks. “ArtWorks is celebrating 25 years as an organization in 2020 and we look forward to doing more public art in the future with University City and the Loop area in general,” she said.
The public is invited to attend the event, which will kick off the festivities of the Loop Ice Carnival.