Keenan Vaughan/Houston Public Media
Members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston paint a mural for the Fourth of July.
With a bucket of blue paint in her hands, Houston mural artist Kimmie Gillespie paced around the concrete parking lot outside the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
Beneath her feet were white outlines of three separate designs: the American flag, a scroll containing the phrase, “We the Kids,” and 10 characters spelling out “Happy 250th.”
However, the piles of paint brushes scattered across the ground weren’t meant for her. As she poured paint onto the concrete, 50 young and eager participants began to bring the artwork to life.
“America is full of just different types of people, and that’s what the Boys and Girls Club has, too,” Gillespie said. “We all are different kids, but we’re all coming together for a greater purpose to make something beautiful.”
The youth development program brought members from across the Houston area on Wednesday to create a 300-by-50-foot mural, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, at its headquarters near the Fourth Ward neighborhood.
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Unveiled on Thursday, the artwork, made up of washable tempera paint, is designed to be visible from the tallest buildings in the Central Business District.
Kevin Hattery, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, said he hopes the project showcases how the next generation of Americans can contribute to the nationwide celebration.
“It’s youth-led. It’s very authentic. It’s original, and we wanted to raise and amplify our voice in the community,” Hattery said. “It’s the voice of the young people that are saying, ‘We’re celebrating, too. We know what this means to the country, and we’re a part of the future generation.’ ”
Provide/Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
A rendering of the mural as seen from above.
Yancy, 17, was among the program members taking part in the project.
Despite wearing a polo shirt and pants, she was more than willing to get dirty to lend a hand during a process she said represented what the 250th anniversary is all about.
“Through the 250, anyone can agree that there’s been so much change within our country and within our communities, but I think what stays the same is our power, our voices,” she said.