5 min read | By: Claudia Loayza
This Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs has offered Multicultural Youth Leadership Programming since 2012 — with the goal to inspire leadership, connection, and college and career readiness. Each year we build upon prior accomplishments to advance collaborative partnerships and transformational outcomes for our students to become thriving leaders in Utah. Last year, we prioritized more immersive engagement and local partnerships through our decade-long Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit and our inaugural Unity & Impact Youth Ambassador cohort. We combined these programs with specialized higher education events and trauma-informed projects with system-involved youth.
Most recently the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs collaborated with the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice & Youth Services, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, and Ogden Contemporary Arts to coordinate the creation of the “Watch Us Grow” mural experience for youth in custody at the Weber Valley Youth Center. This is a continuation of our empowered arts engagement that started with the “Motivated Healing” Mural at the Salt Lake Valley Youth Center in 2019.
Tracy Williams and Rob Pacheco were the collaborating mural artists who led the group of young system-involved youth through the mural painting process. The youth were engaged as equal contributors to the creative vision of the mural. Through a series of workshops, they learned practical as well as empowering concepts, including project management, color theory, the connections between murals and community identity, and the power of the built environment around us to inspire connection and unity. The symbols and process behind the mural were based on meaningful shared experiences among the youth and tells a story of hope, healing, and transformation. Tracy Williams, the muralist who worked with MCA on the Salt Lake Valley Youth Center mural, continues her dedication to the idea of “painting the city.” Her connection to justice-involved youth is unique and deeply rooted in respect, trauma-informed healing, and a shared understanding that community is needed to thrive and find meaning in life’s challenges.
“Seeing the youth walk into the gym area with their heads held up high, dressed in suits and confidence-was a delight to see, because many of them felt discouraged and defeated prior to the start of this project and it was a huge transformation! They knew that this project was bigger than themselves and for some of them, this was the first time that they’ve ever felt appreciated and proud of themselves.”
Mural Unveiling Attendee, Facility Staff
“I would like to continue the discussion about how to provide sustained and continued support for youth to have access to art and creative endeavors overall. Let me know how I can help. I’ll also advocate in spaces where it is appropriate.”
Mural Unveiling Attendee, Community Partner
This mural, while following a similar workshop and instruction process to our Salt Lake Valley Youth Center “Motivated Healing” Mural, was unique because it was painted inside the actual residential unit. This is the space that the youth call home for now. There is a scene of a friendly game of basketball next to a wrapping tree holding retired boxing gloves, symbolizing the act of putting down our weapons and war of words for the pursuit of collective healing. This eventually inspired the youth and community partners to name the mural “Watch Us Grow.” A powerful moment during the traditional mural unveiling celebration that underscored this message was when each participating young man walked into the event dressed in their formal best. They knew that they were showing up proud of their accomplishment, and guests were ready to receive them in love and celebration. Towards the end, the youth took turns saying a few parting words to the dozens of people who joined to behold and honor their work, and also show them that their journey has meaning.
One young man tenderly shared, “I didn’t think that anyone would show up for us.” This emulates the underlying goal behind these initiatives for our division. To ensure that our most marginalized youth know that there is hope, healing, and purpose when we come together and collectively invest time, resources, and love for spaces and systems that are standing in the gap.
The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs thanks the following partners for their dedication to creating and sustaining spaces of hope and healing for our most marginalized Utahns, including our youth that need motivated mentors and pillars of community.
Thank you to our sponsors and dedicated partners:
Weber Valley Youth Center & Staff
Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services
UServeUtah
Ogden Contemporary Arts
Tracy Williams, instructor/muralist
Rob Pacheco, instructor/muralist
