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SOS Berks has teamed up with Albright College and Berks Community Murals to create a series of recovery-themed murals in Berks County. The murals will expand on our stigma reduction campaign theme “Addiction Doesn’t Define Anyone,” building on the recovery stories of individuals featured in those videos.
To date, two murals have been completed, under the direction of Mural Coordinator Mike Miller.
Lead artist: Leslie Ramos
Located on a wall measuring about 1500 square feet, adjacent to a popular Hispanic market, this mural design is being created by artist Leslie Ramos. It is based on the recovery story of Jose Lugo, who recalled for her his life growing up in Puerto Rico, his struggles with substance use disorder, and the role his family and childhood memories played in helping him overcome those struggles. See Jose’s story here.
The artwork was hand painted onto 60 panels by an estimated 1,000 volunteers who attended various community painting sessions over the past six months. It will be installed on a wall measuring about 1,500 square feet, adjacent to a popular Hispanic market.
Learn more & see photos of Mi Recuperacion, Mi Familia
Lead artist: Marian Njai
Located on a building owned by Albright College in an area that is highly visible to the traffic, this mural design is was created by Reading artist Marian Njai, and digital artist Gregory Didyoung. It is based on the recovery story of Yvonne Stroman, who discussed with Marian the many joys she’s discovered during her own journey of recover, including bicycling, journaling, helping others in recovery and mentoring young people.
Watch Yvonne’s story here.
See photos of The Journey here
Painting the murals is a collaborative process involving numerous groups and community members. Both murals included in panels painted off-site on parachute cloth and later adhered to the buildings. The Journey was painted primarily directly onto the building, and also involved hand cut stencils cut by volunteers. Visit the Berks Community Murals website to learn more about the process of painting and installing murals.
