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Mural by migrant education students on display at Northeast State

The mural, created by children from migrant farm workers and local families in the area.

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Published: March 11, 2010

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – A colorful mural and documentary photographs created by children from migrant farm workers and local families living in rural Appalachia and West Tennessee will be displayed March 8 – April 9, at Northeast State Community College on the first floor of the Wayne G. Basler Library. On March 31, at 12 noon, Sonia Hoffmann, art instructor for the mural project, will give a lecture in Room L106 of the Basler Library on the College’s main campus.

The mural is the result of a partnership between Telamon Corporation, Tennessee Arts Commission and East Tennessee State University’s Migrant Education Program in Johnson City. During summer 2009, over 20 students enrolled in the Migrant Education Program worked with Peruvian artist, Sonia Hoffmann and a team of bilingual volunteers to create the 6’ x 8’ painting.

The children received instruction in art history, illustration and painting, with an emphasis on Mexican culture. The children’s drawings were used to create a composite design honoring the contribution of migrant farm workers. The project was documented by photographer, Chuck Rector, a graduate of Milligan College.

Northeast State is the third stop for the mural, which will be displayed at various venues across Tennessee and beyond. The mural was exhibited at Walters State Community College and was displayed at ETSU earlier this month as part of Hispanic Student Day.

The photographs accompanying the mural exhibition were taken by migrant and local youth participating in Telamon Corporation’s statewide Youth Initiative, Growing Tennessee: Rural Youth Cultivate Common Ground, which is funded by Office of Head Start, Tennessee Arts Commission, Starbucks Foundation, East Tennessee Foundation and PeyBack Foundation. Many community partners make the initiative possible, including 4-H, the University of Tennessee and Milligan College.

“The Youth Initiative projects have gleaned many rewards in expected and unexpected ways; the pride of the young people involved, the caring of the many volunteers, and the excitement of supporters from across the nation,” said J Davis, state director for the program.

Telamon Corporation, founded in 1965, provides employment and training services, early childhood programs, housing, and other initiatives in eleven states. Since 1995 Telamon has been the only provider of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start services in Tennessee. The children and families of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers receive education, nutrition, health, and social services at five childcare centers across the state.

The Growing Tennessee initiative is in its fifth year, and over 150 youth have participated in a variety of community based art activities, including photography, digital storytelling, mural arts, ceramics, and most recently, video production.