The yellow awning may not be moving to the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s new home, but the longtime symbol of MMI will never be forgotten.
And the department of recreational therapy is taking steps to make certain of that with its “Yellow Awning Project.”
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One of the art pieces inspired by the yellow awning that was created as part of recreational therapy’s “Yellow Awning Project” |
Adult and youth recreational therapy clients will be producing paintings, drawings, photos and poems that commemorate the yellow awning, and, with the help of a small grant, the artwork will be packaged into keepsake books that will be given to rec therapy families.
“This project has grown out of the excitement and anxiety some of the kids, and adults as well, are feeling about moving to the new building,” said Nicole Giron, director of the MMI Department of Recreational Therapy. “We’re celebrating what the yellow awning has meant for everyone, as well as reminiscing.”
Another goal, she said, is to help clients process the move.
“A lot of the kids and adults we see, they very much like consistency in their lives, and when things change, that can be anxiety producing.”
Paula Wallace is the guest artist-in-residence for the project.
“I am excited to work on this project because there is so much trouble in the world but at MMI, and especially rec therapy, there is always love,” she said. “This is an amazing team of artists, and I am always inspired by them.”
Carolyn Anderson, a community advocate and partner in the project, said the arts are the perfect way to capture the memories of the old MMI building.
“The awning has different meanings for everyone who enters the building,” Anderson said. “Respect and joy are the words I use, and it has been a pleasure working on the Art Under the Awning project with Nicole and Paula.”
Giron said the new MMI location is certain to produce its own iconic image — perhaps one of the new sculptures that will greet visitors as they arrive at the building – but her staff wanted to document what the yellow awning has meant to people, especially to recreational therapy clients.
“While the awning has symbolized MMI as a whole, it has a special place in the heart of recreational therapy clients,” she said. “For them, it symbolizes friendship, fun and family — all these things they experience here at MMI. I have parents tell me all the time that they can’t drive down Farnam or Dodge streets because if their kids see the yellow awning, they think they’re going to camp.”
In addition to participant artwork, the project will include surveys with families and staff about the awning and recreational therapy programming. Giron also said she hopes to have an exhibit of the project artwork at the new building when it opens.
“We will be working on this project through the move date,” she said. “The awning has meant a lot to our clients – we’re excited to give them the opportunity to share their feelings.”