LYNN — Beyond Walls, the organization that sponsored murals painted on the walls of buildings throughout downtown Lynn,is seeking input from children and young adults affected by COVID-19 and other current events for its next project.
The group Wednesday announced a partnership with Harbor Voices — a Gloucester-based nonprofit public art collective — in support of “Truth Be Told” — an initiative designed to encourage Lynn youth to share their experiences through art and storytelling.
Beginning Thursday and going through June 30, children and young adults in Lynn, ages 5 to 21, are encouraged to submit spoken word stories, photography and original artwork at that reflect the impact of COVID-19 and social unrest on their lives and on their communities.
Selected drawings, paintings, photographs and multimedia pieces will be part of several public art exhibits this fall, and will serve as the inspiration for new large-scale street art installations by professional local and international artists in downtown Lynn, currently scheduled for early this fall.
Harbor Voices will also hopes to create innovative and immersive storytelling environments during the week of the professional installations.
Additional partners include the Lynn Public Schools, Lynn YMCA, St. Mary’s Lynn, Boys & Girls Club of Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn, Girls Inc of Lynn, The Haven Project, Amplifier, Inside Out Project and Cliff Notez.
“Times are tough,” said Beyond Walls CEO and Founder Al Wilson. “COVID-19 and horrific acts of racism have had a tremendous impact on the physical and emotional health of Lynn residents, especially our youth.
“Incessant fear and loneliness, coupled with events around the country have highlighted the work that needs to be done to bring people together around a shared goal. We believe ‘Truth Be Told’ provides a creative outlet for children, teens and young adults, reflects Lynn’s rich cultural diversity and helps to celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of our city and our young people,” Wilson said.
