Keeping Our Roots Strong: Branches of Belonging
Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers students and Teaching Artist Colleen Kong-Savage pose for a photo with t-shirt keepsakes inspired by their new mural “Branches of Belonging”
Graduating seniors leave a gift for future generations
Students at Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers honor and celebrate their cultural diversity. Liberty is a transfer school that serves students who are acclimating to the American education system, including and, not limited to, English language learners. This spring, a group of graduating seniors participated in “Learning to Work,” a work-based learning program designed to offer preliminary work experience and emotional and academic support, all while preparing students for life beyond high school. The resulting mural, entitled “Branches of Belonging,” honors cultural diversity and serves as a beacon of hope, acceptance, and belonging for future students.
At a formal presentation, what stood out the most, besides the beautiful art, was the pride and clarity with which the interns expressed themselves. Students showed a strong sense of ownership and were eager to discuss different sections of the mural. Many were proud to say that the work presented them with an opportunity to move outside their comfort zone and grow personally or even emerge as leaders.
“Everything about this mural was made by us. One person painted the branches, another person added the eggs in the nest, and someone else made the ornaments. I learned to trust my team.”
Liberty teachers and staff, as well as CAW staff and board members, were impressed by the interns
An Intern explains different elements of the mural
In the audience were Liberty High School teachers, students, and staff, as well as CAW Executive Director Karen Jolicoeur, Board President Brian Ricklin, and board members Julian D’Ambrosi and Carol Rosenberg. Also in attendance was Christine Beckhusen, the Learning to Work Internship Coordinator for Catholic Charities' Alianza Division, a long-standing and valued partner of Creative Art Works.
The new Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers mural, “Branches of Belonging”
As the mural stretches across a long hallway, the muted palette on one side gradually gives way to vibrant colors. Each branch of the tree represents a different culture. A unique feature of the mural are hidden magnets where ornaments can be “hung” from the branches of the tree to celebrate holidays, announce school events, or recognize student achievement.
“The tree represents all of the cultures in this school. If there is a holiday a student wants celebrated, we can make an ornament and hang it off one of the branches. That way, we all feel like part of a community by sharing our culture.”
Through hard work and dedication, the interns leaned on one another to bring this mural to life. With their senior year coming to a close soon, they are leaving behind a lasting gift for incoming students — a visual representation of the school’s values.
Process Images
Teaching Artists and Program Staff
Colleen Kong-Savage, CAW Teaching Artist
Kevin Claiborne, CAW Program Manager
Riki Sabel, Program Manager of Teaching and Learning
Madeline De León, Program Coordinator
Emilio Vides-Curnen, Operations Coordinator
This program is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. This program is also made possible by public funds from the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and by the Leroy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the Ponce De Leon Foundation, the AEO Better World Foundation, the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation and the William Talbot Hillman Foundation.
