LYNN — Beyond Walls will install three new murals at two local institutions, building on its work with youth in the city.
From Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, artists Cristhian Saravia — known as Golden305 -— Jah’Nyah Spencer, and DAST UNO will create murals that reflect and celebrate the city and its young residents.
This initiative will launch at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, where Venezuelan artist Golden305 and Lynn Tech graduate Jah’Nyah Spencer will work together for two days inside the school’s advanced machine shop, transforming the space with a colorful mural designed to inspire students.
As a renowned artist, Golden305 has been a mentor for Spencer, who in 2020 took part in
Beyond Walls’ Truth Be Told project, which invited youth to express their feelings about life during the pandemic and the social-justice movement through drawings, paintings, photographs, and written and spoken stories.
From Sept. 20-22, Golden305 — whose large-scale pieces are recognized for their vivid colors and animated characters — will expand on the 4,800-square-foot mural he designed last year at the Demakes Family YMCA.
The enlarged outdoor mural will feature vibrant images similar to the current piece, and will serve as a welcoming backdrop for the YMCA.
Work on the third mural will begin on Sept. 21, as Colombian artist and designer DAST UNO — whose abstract paintings and collages are featured on building facades, bridges, and other parts of the urban landscape — will spend 11 days installing a bright and lively six-story mural on the Lynn YMCA tower.
Al Wilson, founder and CEO of Beyond Walls, said these collaborations with artists, Lynn youth, and longtime partners like the YMCA and Lynn Tech are among the most important and impactful projects undertaken by the organization.
“Engaging with young people and creating art where children live, gather, and play remains a top priority,” Wilson said. “Exposing kids to art and involving them in the creative process enriches their lives and changes the way they think about themselves and their community.”