Coalition of Essential Schools

Number of Volunteers: 60

Number of Paintings: 10

School: Martin Luther King Elementary

CES is sponsored an art workshop event Nov.5th 2009 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana.  MLK is the first functioning school in the 9th ward since Hurricane Katrina. 

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School was severely flooded due to
high water levels caused by breaks in the Industrial Canal. As a result of the hurricane and the severe flooding, everyone living in the Lower Ninth Ward was forced to relocate. Children, faculty, and staff had been temporarily housed in another facility.  Despite the damage, the school building itself was found to be structurally intact and has been restored. Slowly, there are other signs of people moving back into the community.  Homes are being rebuilt and retails stores are reopening. To date MLK is the only school opened in the 9th ward.

CES and service-learning participants will join the school communities to
transform school landscapes from mundane environments to colorful, artistic
places of learning.

The focus of this project was to create a series of recycled Mardi Gras beaded mosaic
paintings, all with uplifting New Orleans imagery.  The goal is to keep the spirits of
students and faculty high. We also hope to instill in the students an understanding of
the importance of recycling, love of community, and the impact of art on their
environment.