Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 April 1995 — Page 17

Muncie Times Thursday, April 6,1995 Page 17

Muncie 7 s ‘New End’ to undergo face lift

by Judy Mays The notorious “New - End” section of Muncie, is about to get a new look. Thanks to concerned residents of the Munsyana Homes, resident coordinator Henry Fuse III, Ralph McGairk Chief of Police, Linda Johnson, Joseph Haynes, and others, the wall which separates the housing complex from the parking lot of a former Pizza King will become a poetry mural. Haynes, executive director of the Mayor's Art Council, believes that such a mural means people entering the New End will be able to see real people not just problems. Haynes said that a poetry mural will help many of the residents deal with the stigmas of living there. “For some,” said Haynes, “it’s even a deterrent to obtaining employment.” Funded by Neighborhood Services and Community Development, the first of two projects, will be a poem depicting the thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes of people living in and around Munsyana. The poem will also show Munsyana through the eyes of residents, parents, children, neighbors and police. At the end of the poetry mural there will be a commemoration portion, collage, with pictures on the wall for all to see. Johnson, the project coordinator, met Haynes at a meeting initiated by Fuse to discuss youth programs. “I became very interested

in this project,” said Johnson. As a former resident of the Munsyana Homes, Johnson said she knows what it’s like to feel as though you are stuck in a certain environment. “Even though you live in poverty, you can fulfill a dream,” she said. “There was a time that I didn’t see myself beyond a minimum wage job. “But then I took the time to evaluate and self improve and I realized that education was the key.” Johnson had three children — a daughter who is a college graduate, a son who is incarcerated, and a 7-year-old who is doing just fine in school. “I was a young mother,” said Johnson, “but I was blessed to raise my daughter to achieve. Even though my son fell through the cracks, he is now realizing his mistakes and is pursuing an education while incarcerated. “Now, I work with children. I want to be a role model. I remember my role models — Virginia Leavell, Hilda Book, and Ernestine Rowe. Miss Rowe used to teach us ceramics and if we didn’t finish a project, she’d open up her home to us on Saturdays. “I also remember the inspiration of Ball State students who worked at center programs and I have to thank the Coalition of 100 Women for helping me put my daughter through school. Now I’m taking a small business course and preparing to take classes at

Ivy Tech in the summer.” The Mayof’s Art Council meets 1 to 4 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Girl Scout Cabin in Heekin Park.

The last phase of the poetry mural will be the painting, which will be done by numbers so anyone can participate. We also are looking for

people who would be interested in our second project, a mural for the Buley Center, Johnson said. Both projects are scheduled for May. ❖

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ARTIST NEEDED ad a^JJeailncj jf^rocedd Mural for Buley Center & Munsyana Homes Muncie Arts Council Contact Joseph Wayne Haynes or Garland Simmons through The Muncie Tini® $ 741-0037

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