National Night Out Against Crime, LES

Reconstruct Art was proud to participate in the 27th annual National Night Out Against Crime, a community event designed to promote neighborhood spirit and community partnerships with the police. The event, held at a lover east side housing project, featured music, food, activities, and community leaders and council members speaking out on hate crimes, gang violence and community/police relations.
Because creative participation in structured recreational activities and healthy self-expression are known to decrease youth involvement in criminal behavior, reconstruct Art was invited to host a "free arts" station, where teens and children were invited to tag, write and paint on oversized canvases using paint and graffiti markers. Though some had never held a paintbrush before, the kids participated enthusiastically. The result was a beautiful, diverse, enormous artwork and a lot of messy fun.