Fort Worth South received a makeover on May 20, thanks to the creative contributions of 45 area eighth graders. Part of the LeaderKids program, these students partnered with Leadership Fort Worth, Fort Worth South, Inc., local property managers, and artist consultants to create the public art installations in an event appropriately titled "Gobsmacked."
The art installations were the culmination the of a yearlong leadership development program, LeaderKids. LeaderKids has recruited students from the 23 area middle schools since 1995, meeting once a month to visit colleges and local employers, culminating in a year-end volunteer project.
LeaderKids" first year to include a community art installation, the students" artistic appropriations of walls, trees, and other neighborhood landmarks will remain on display indefinitely.
"The idea is that the kids leave the community better than they found it," Mariem Harris, volunteer executive director of LeaderKids, said. "It's exciting to find out you have that power so young."
