by Christie Page
Would you let a child paint your garage door? A few people in our neighbourhood have, and I would argue that our neighbourhood is better because of it. A few years ago, Joanna was feeling inspired and invited her then 3-year-old, Charlie, to help. The juxtaposition between their two pieces really complements each other and what a way to give a child a sense of pride and ownership over their neighbourhood.
Last fall, homeowners just east of Sunnyside School allowed thirty 8 to 11-year-olds to paint their garage doors. The art was done by the 98 Girl Guides over three days with a little instruction from Mandy Stobo, a Calgary Artist. The teamwork and organization by this group was incredible and it really brightens up a path many kids take to school. Just this June, one of Sunnyside’s young residents who attends Madeleine D’Houet School organized a field trip for her grade 7 art class to paint garage murals in the alley on the 700 block between 4 and 4A street. The result was three delightfully different designs, each supported and brought together by a group of ten students. These are pieces that they will come back to show off over the years, exposing many more eyes to our community’s garage door art gallery and the wonderful weirdness that is Sunnyside.
If you have an empty, unstimulating garage door and don’t have the inspiration to paint it yourself, maybe consider asking the kids down the street if they could paint a picture on it for you. Whatever they draw, it will be better than having nothing there at all.