{"id":10436,"date":"2021-07-29T09:49:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T13:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/?p=10436"},"modified":"2021-07-29T09:49:27","modified_gmt":"2021-07-29T13:49:27","slug":"junior-kate-wallace-promoting-safety-through-her-art-in-richmond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/news-events\/junior-kate-wallace-promoting-safety-through-her-art-in-richmond\/","title":{"rendered":"Junior Kate Wallace promoting safety through her art in Richmond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Earlham junior Kate Wallace poses at the intersection of North 19th and C streets in Richmond where a street mural is being painted to promote safety in the city’s historic Starr Neighborhood. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Earlham College junior Kate Wallace has designed a new street art project that is the focal point of a neighborhood safety initiative by the City of Richmond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wallace joined a team of volunteers this week to paint the mural in the city\u2019s historic Starr Neighborhood at the intersection of North 19th<\/sup> and C streets. The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce joined city officials for a ribbon cutting project on Tuesday to celebrate the project\u2019s completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was really excited to get my work out there and get my name out there,\u201d said Wallace, a studio art major from Cambridge City, Indiana. \u201cProjects like these can bring art to the average person without having to go inside a gallery to see it. And it\u2019s great if my work can promote safety and the other benefits that the city is hoping will come from this project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mural incorporates shapes that are characteristic of the city\u2019s history as a birthplace of recorded jazz and the former headquarters of the Starr Piano Company and Gennett Records. City officials say the painted curb bump outs and enhanced crosswalk design will help visually slow traffic, improving safety for residents and for children walking to Starr Elementary School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cProjects like these can bring art to the average person without having to go inside a gallery to see it. And it\u2019s great if my work can promote safety and the other benefits that the city is hoping will come from this project.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Kate Wallace<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kate Wallace and volunteers put the finishing touches on the street mural on Tuesday, July 27. (Photo courtesy of the City of Richmond)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The project was funded by a grant from the Urban Enterprise Association and follows a series of recent investments in the Starr Neighborhood, which included construction of a new playground at Starr Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Earlham, Wallace\u2019s studies are heavily concentrated on ceramics, but she also has an extensive background in painting and drawing. In addition to majoring in studio art, she is pursuing a minor in art history and an applied minor in education to prepare for a future vocation as a teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew Earlham was right for me when I had an overnight visit and the students took me under their wing and made feel right at home,\u201d Wallace said. \u201cEarlham was the perfect for me and I am so glad I chose this school. Some of my most memorable experiences have been making art in the classroom, doing 24-hour theatre, and spending late nights in the ceramics studio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wallace has had a busy summer. In addition to sitting in on planning sessions with the City for the mural project, she has also been a special events intern at the Richmond Art Museum. The internship is part of her summer of service that is required by the Bonner Scholars program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing a little bit of everything, from setting up to taking down shows and getting ready for events,\u201d Wallace said. \u201cI also work with the permanent collection and have been helping with the museum\u2019s summer youth art camps.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also earned her first credits as an illustrator in Wayne County author Bess Sturgis\u2019 fifth children\u2019s book, Algernon and Zef<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now entering the second half of her Earlham education, Wallace eager to build upon a strong resume in the local arts scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never thought I\u2019d do anything like this, but I think it\u2019s great,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m excited for what\u2019s going to come my way and who I\u2019m going to meet in the future by working with the city on this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Media contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brian Zimmerman<\/strong>
Director of media relations
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Email: zimmebr@earlham.edu
Phone: 765.983.1256<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n