07-18-2012 Mayor Buttigieg Joins the South Bend Weed & Seed Alliance to Recognize Young Artists

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SovTxsF „G 1865 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2012 Contact:Debra Johnson,Director of Communications Phone: 574-235-5853 MAYOR BUTTIGIEG JOINS THE SOUTH BEND WEED & SEED ALLIANCE TO RECOGNIZE YOUNG ARTISTS SOUTH BEND—Mayor Pete Buttigieg,along with representatives of the South Bend Weed& Seed Alliance, South Bend Museum of Art, and the Martin Luther King,Jr. Recreation Center will gather Wednesday to recognize completion of the Weed& Seed Youth Art Program. The program resulted in the installation of positive message signs based upon designs created by Weed& Seed area youth. The sign dedication will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday,July 18 at the Civil Rights Heritage Center at 1040 W. Washington Street. Created by children at the WK Recreation Center After School Enrichment Program as part of a project that was led by the South Bend Museum of Art and funded by Weed& Seed,the signs serve to replicate "STOP" signs in size and shape. Instead of the standard message to "STOP", they include a variety of positive messages meant to attract and inspire people passing by. "These signs offer a tangible demonstration of how community partnerships can be forged with Weed& Seed resources,"said Denise Singh, Chair of the Weed & Seed Alliance. "Knowing the Martin Luther King,Jr. Recreation Center and South Bend Museum of Art have a newfound relationship presents a positive outlook for fixture opportunities for Weed& Seed residents." There are 12 total sign locations in South Bend, 10 of which are within the Weed& Seed area and each sign represents a unique design. All of the Youth Art Program participants initiated their designs on a paper canvas and had their designs reproduced on their own t-shirts. The best 10 designs were selected for inclusion on the signs. The original 10 designs that were used to create the signs will be on display at the Civil Rights Heritage Center immediately following the event. The Civil Rights Heritage Center also served as one of the sign sites. "We are excited to be a partner in this initiative by serving as sign recipient," said Dr. Kevin Lamarr James. "The spirit of collaboration demonstrated by the signs is in step with the mission of the Civil Rights Heritage Center." Weed& Seed is a federally sponsored initiative designed to develop a community of diverse cultures working together to create safe and pleasant neighborhoods. One of the Weed & Seed goals is to provide educational opportunities for its residents through a development of a visual 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING- 227 W.JEFFERSON BOULEVARD-SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 PHONE 574/235-9261 FAx 574/235-9892