When presented with the challenge of how to revitalize the dead space around and underneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, artist Ellie Balk, with the help of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project and a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, decided to paint it. After nearly a year of preparation, Balk began painting under the BQE at Steuben Street in Clinton Hill in mid-September. She found inspiration for the mural, called Soundwaves, after painting a piano for the Sing for Hope Pop Up Piano installation earlier this year.
Today, our VolunteerSpotlight shines on Ellie Balk, who used VolunteerSpot to coordinate community volunteers who helped paint the mural.
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Please tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs.
I am a Community Artist and worked with Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project in getting a National Endowment for the Arts Fast Track grant to paint a mural in the community. The mural spot was in a rough area under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway over-pass. Unlike other murals I have worked on in more populated areas, this mural called for a different kind of organization for volunteers. People had to know exactly when and where we were to come out to help paint. This is why we turned to VolunteerSpot so that we could have our painting schedule posted and allow people to choose the best time slot for them and to have all the information about the project in one space. It was very professional. One of the coolest features in setting up volunteers in this way was that we didn't necessarily know the volunteers that signed up. We found a wide range of people that were interested in being part of the Public Art project and they were able to join us on their schedule. It was wonderful to meet interesting people who believed in our mission.
How did you get started as a volunteer leader?
I have been organizing and painting murals with the community in Brooklyn for over 8 years. Originally from St. Louis, MO, I moved to New York in 2003 to get my Masters in Fine Art from Pratt Institute. I feel in love with the neighborhood and community and have been working with the residents of Brooklyn creating public artworks ever since.
What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?
For leaders, I think it is so important to be clear on your needs for the project and to have everything prepared and ready for your volunteers. It is also important to ask your volunteers what their skills are so that you can place them in something that they will excel at and to allow them to feel some ownership to the project.
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
I used VolunteerSpot because I found the interface easy to navigate and simple for volunteers to see the scope of the project and be able to sign up according to their schedule. I liked that people could see how many others had signed up for the days available. It was also nice to have the emails of the volunteers and we were able to send messages and reminders for their time slots.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?
For more information about our Soundwaves Mural Project under the BQE, please visit the blog at www.soundwavesmural.blogspot.com. And for more information about upcoming projects, please visit www.elliebalk.com
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We salute Ellie Balk and all the other artists and volunteer coordinators out there making a difference in the world. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected].
