Established in 1983, Artmakers Inc. is an artist-run, politically oriented community mural organization that creates high quality public art relevant to the lives and work of people in their neighborhoods.

In its 22 years, Artmakers has created over 40 murals in collaboration with block associations, health care and mental health facilities, public schools, community gardens, LDCs, homeless shelters, and daycare centers.

Artmakers' artists and board of directors, ranging in age from 22 to 70, reflect the cultural diversity of New York City. Their work with New York City's community and cultural organizations spans the period from 1968 through today, and many have been teaching artists and educators in New York City's schools and museums.

Prior to the 2005 When Women Pursue Justice, Artmakers' most well known project was the 26-mural cycle The Struggle Continues/ La Lucha Continua (1985) on the Lower East Side.

La Lucha addressed local issues of women's rights, police brutality and gentrification as well as such international issues as apartheid and U.S. intervention in Central America. Totaling 6,400 square feet, La Lucha consisted of a large, central collaborative mural (40' x 30') created by 12 artists; the 25 smaller murals were painted by individual and small groups of artists. At the time, La Lucha was the largest and most ambitious community mural project in the country.

WHEN WOMEN PURSUE JUSTICE celebrates 90 women who have led or participated in movements for social change in the United States over the past 150 years. The mural is located at 498 Greene Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY. It honors 14 twentieth century movement leaders, 67 activists and 9 nineteenth century ancestors.

Artmakers involves young people in its projects as paid apprentices through its Pre-Professional Training Program. Exposed and held to the highest possible aesthetic standards, interns learn valuable skills - both artistic and job-related. Working alongside professional artists, they refine and define their own artistic styles as they learn how the formal elements and principles of artmaking are used in a large-scale format.

Artmakers frequently advises community groups wanting to create community murals, and its artists have freely given their time to groups that lack funding -- providing design workshops, production advice, on-site visits and, on occasion, undertaking a 4 or 5-day volunteer mural project on timely and pressing themes.

Click 2006 EXHIBITIONS to learn about Artmakers' traveling exhibition based on When Women Pursue Justice.

Artmakers is preparing a 48-page illustrated exhibition catalogue with short biographies of the 90 women in the mural and a viewing guide. It will be available in late March. It costs $5 plus $2 shipping and handling, and can be ordered by mail.

Click ORDER for exhibition catalogue.

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As an artist-run organization, Artmakers Inc. has no paid staff. Monies are raised on a project by project basis. All funds are directed to artist fees, materials, scaffolding and insurance. There are still outstanding expenses related to both the When Women Pursue Justice mural and exhibitions, and future projects are being developed.

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