Alternatives' Young Adult Arts and Culture Program and the Quinsigamond Village Community Center (QVCC) collaborated with artist Carole Plante to design and paint two murals which were recently unveiled at the Community Center. Alternatives' Young Adult Program provides individuals with and without disabilities opportunities to explore their creativity while collaborating with their peers in the community. The mural project was funded by a Community Bridging Grant offered by Alternatives.

"We are delighted to help fund this beautiful community mural with Allen Fletcher," said Dennis Rice, executive director of Alternatives. "We have brought two groups of people together in a creative process to producer a wonderful image that not only celebrates our past but also articulates a vision for our future. That's what Bridging Grants are all about!"

David Johnson, QVCC Director expressed similar thoughts regarding community and collaboration. "When community comes together," Mr. Johnson said, "it improves the quality of life for all. The center strives to collaborate with other helping agencies. Our experience with Alternatives has been an exceptionally special one."

Senator Michael Moore also spoke on community collaboration and creating opportunities for people with all abilities. Reflecting back on the mural he said, "This is what it's all about!"

The two murals, one inside the center depicting the different activities available at the Quinsigamond Village Community Center and the exterior mural, which represents a "past-present-future" theme of the neighborhood, are a collaboration of over 100 people from the community. "It was a fulfilling experience to create a composition encompassing input from the community and oversee artists of all abilities," said lead artist for the project Carole Plante, owner of Creating a Scene Murals. "The murals are a testimony to what can be accomplished when people do things as a community."

"How wonderful it was to have the opportunity to work on this project," said volunteer Madeline Paladino. "My children and I were put in a position to work with people from various age groups and different abilities. We enjoyed the interactions and conversations we had during the process."

"I really enjoyed working on the mural project," said Steven Toscano, a volunteer and participant in the Young Adult Arts & Culture Program for the last three years. "I've loved art since the seventh grade and this project was fun as I could both paint and meet a lot of people!"

Both murals can be viewed at the Quinsigamond Village Community Center, 16 Greenwood Street, Worcester. Alternatives is a non-profit agency currently serving over 1000 adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities in 55 residential, employment and day programs through central Massachusetts.