The Women's Empowerment Mural
Tax deductible
The proposed project is the creation of a colorful, large-scale, outdoor mural in the dimensions of 18 x 106 feet on the side of the Tri-Con Construction Services building facing the Farmington Canal Greenway on the Hamden/New Haven border. We have chosen this location because this particular portion of the East Coast Greenway has been defaced with graffiti and the surrounding areas are thickly overgrown with weeds and invasive plants. Our objective is to galvanize the community in a relevant and direct artistic rebuttal to our nation’s current divisive, patriarchal, misogynistic, and xenophobic political climate. As visual artists it is our job to counter negativity by amplifying be the voices of our community through positive visual language.
This mural project will be orchestrated by New Haven based visual artist and muralist Kwadwo Adae, whose vision was conceived after protesting in support of the National Women’s March on January 21st. Adae has designed a work of public art that honors, empowers, and celebrates the matriarchal power of our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and our grandmothers. The mural will feature seven figures of women of various ages depicted as ‘Statue of Liberty’ figures dressed in the style of their countries of origin showcasing and celebrating the importance of diversity in our culture. Each figure will be a representation of women from Asia, India, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, and the Middle East. Strongly displaying a torch above their head in one hand while displaying a tablet in the other. New Haven is a Sanctuary City, a beacon of hope in light of our nations recent unconstitutional crackdown on minority, refugee and immigrant communities.
As a visual artist, Kwadwo Adae has already demonstrated a sustained commitment to artistic excellence by founding the Adae Fine Art Academy, a drawing and painting school in downtown New Haven that has been providing individualized instruction to children, young adults, and adults in all levels and media since 2005. Adae also runs a Mobile Art Studio providing off site art classes to elderly artists in the Alzheimer’s & dementia ward of Emeritus Senior Living; young adults at the West Haven Mental Health Clinic; adults residing at the Parents Foundation, a transitional living facility for people with schizophrenia; and children in after school programs at the Foote School, Conte West Hills School, and at the New Haven Free Public Library.
As a muralist, Adae has contributed to the discourse of public art by installing eight murals in Greater New Haven. Additionally, he has orchestrated the installation of two major collaborative international mural projects with children at K-8 schools in India and Guatemala respectively. Adae has consistently proven that his philosophy of Art as Public Service is integral and inseparable from his painting practice.
Investment in public art on the Farmington Canal Greenway will encourage more runners, cyclists, joggers, and children and families to utilize the trail; which is accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status; more frequently, increasing physical activity and overall public health.
The desired outcome of this project is to create a mural that empowers the matriarchy in a concrete act of unity and reverence. We must establish a vested interest in augmenting the aesthetic quality of these neighborhoods, and promoting future artistic and economic investment on the Farmington Canal Greenway. This mural will emphasize that women hold the fabric of our families, communities, and nation together and sadly we are in a political climate that ignores the basic fundamental aspects of women’s rights. Artists all over the country are making a stand against the current political climate of our nation. It is imperative that artists speak to these times and facilitate a unified voice as one community. We need the funding necessary to implement this ambitious public art project right here in Connecticut. Our voices must not be silenced, and we must be fully committed to being heard and setting the example of the importance of art in our lives. I look forward to diligently working to create this symbol of empowerment for our community. Thank you for your generosity, time, and consideration.
Sincere Regards,
Kwadwo Adae
This mural project will be orchestrated by New Haven based visual artist and muralist Kwadwo Adae, whose vision was conceived after protesting in support of the National Women’s March on January 21st. Adae has designed a work of public art that honors, empowers, and celebrates the matriarchal power of our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and our grandmothers. The mural will feature seven figures of women of various ages depicted as ‘Statue of Liberty’ figures dressed in the style of their countries of origin showcasing and celebrating the importance of diversity in our culture. Each figure will be a representation of women from Asia, India, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, and the Middle East. Strongly displaying a torch above their head in one hand while displaying a tablet in the other. New Haven is a Sanctuary City, a beacon of hope in light of our nations recent unconstitutional crackdown on minority, refugee and immigrant communities.
As a visual artist, Kwadwo Adae has already demonstrated a sustained commitment to artistic excellence by founding the Adae Fine Art Academy, a drawing and painting school in downtown New Haven that has been providing individualized instruction to children, young adults, and adults in all levels and media since 2005. Adae also runs a Mobile Art Studio providing off site art classes to elderly artists in the Alzheimer’s & dementia ward of Emeritus Senior Living; young adults at the West Haven Mental Health Clinic; adults residing at the Parents Foundation, a transitional living facility for people with schizophrenia; and children in after school programs at the Foote School, Conte West Hills School, and at the New Haven Free Public Library.
As a muralist, Adae has contributed to the discourse of public art by installing eight murals in Greater New Haven. Additionally, he has orchestrated the installation of two major collaborative international mural projects with children at K-8 schools in India and Guatemala respectively. Adae has consistently proven that his philosophy of Art as Public Service is integral and inseparable from his painting practice.
Investment in public art on the Farmington Canal Greenway will encourage more runners, cyclists, joggers, and children and families to utilize the trail; which is accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status; more frequently, increasing physical activity and overall public health.
The desired outcome of this project is to create a mural that empowers the matriarchy in a concrete act of unity and reverence. We must establish a vested interest in augmenting the aesthetic quality of these neighborhoods, and promoting future artistic and economic investment on the Farmington Canal Greenway. This mural will emphasize that women hold the fabric of our families, communities, and nation together and sadly we are in a political climate that ignores the basic fundamental aspects of women’s rights. Artists all over the country are making a stand against the current political climate of our nation. It is imperative that artists speak to these times and facilitate a unified voice as one community. We need the funding necessary to implement this ambitious public art project right here in Connecticut. Our voices must not be silenced, and we must be fully committed to being heard and setting the example of the importance of art in our lives. I look forward to diligently working to create this symbol of empowerment for our community. Thank you for your generosity, time, and consideration.
Sincere Regards,
Kwadwo Adae
Organizer
Kwadwo Adae
Organizer
New Haven, CT
Elm City Parks Conservancy
Beneficiary