Stamford Public Schools unveils Community Canvas on display at the Government Center in recognition of Black History Month

A unique community collaboration art piece is currently on display in the Stamford Government Center lobby.  The approximately 4’x4’ canvas was created during an annual MLK Day of Service hosted by IROSA Cares, Inc., a local nonprofit founded by SPS educator Catherine E. Stephenson.  

On Saturday, January 17th, IROSA Cares, Inc. invited Stamford Public School students and their families to come together with other community members at UConn Stamford to empower and inspire local youth through service projects, including writing letters to U.S. troops, creating Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens, designing placemats for a local community center, painting Kindness Rocks to beautify the community, making hygiene kits for a local shelter (in partnership with Kids Helping Kids), and the creation of the community canvas.

During the event, local artist and spoken word poet, Sahmra Sawyer, guided attendees in contributing to the canvas, entitled “Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)”.  According to the artist, “The piece is intended to reflect the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. and the dreams of our youth and parents today.  The artwork juxtaposes abstract expressionism, methods of free flow painting, randomized collaging using magazine images and recycled materials, and drawings and sketches.”

“It is so exciting to see what can be created when art making opportunities are meaningful and relevant,” explained Robin Konrad, Department Leader for Visual and Performing Arts at Westhill High School and the Stamford Public Schools Content Area Leader for K-12 Visual Arts.  According to Ms. Stephenson of IROSA Cares, Inc, and a Teacher at Stamford’s Davenport Ridge Elementary School, “Martin Luther King Day of Service is about a day on, not a day off.  It is about giving back to others and working together in the spirit of Dr. King.”  The annual Day of Service is one of many events that the volunteer organization hosts throughout the year in support of its mission to empower youth to be their best. 

During the event, Ms. Sawyer led community members in adding their messages and sketches to the artwork, prioritizing spontaneity, inclusivity, intuition vs. planned composition or structure. The result is a vivid and colorful collage that celebrates the figures who have paved the way for how far we’ve come and will go spiritually, culturally, and collectively.

Contributing Artists include:

Nia Calhoun 

Chase Bell  

Sheena Bell 

Reef Morgan 

Isaiah Boakye 

Leah Dardompre 

Khloe Brown 

Saleema Barry  

Alexander Goncalves

The Community Canvas is available for viewing daily in the lobby of the Government Center during Black History month. It will ultimately be relocated to the 5th Floor and integrated into the student artwork featured throughout the Central Offices of the Stamford Public School.

Local artist Sahmra Sawyer stands with the Community Canvas, on display at the Stamford Government Center in celebration of Black History Month.