Following the community room kick-off, students and other attendees were given the opportunity to tour Light House spaces and see the murals on display throughout the building. The creative process for this project was predominantly student led and they spent months designing and painting murals that would suit the unique spaces at The Light House.

This semester long collaboration was coordinated by Jessica Jackman, MFA, Annapolis High School Visual Arts Educator, and Sarah E. Ryan, Light House Director of Community Engagement. Before Annapolis High School’s 2022 fall semester began, Jessica Jackman reached out to The Light House to see if there was a way her students could get involved. Sarah E. Ryan shared that there were currently many spaces in the building that could benefit from student art and together they began to plan the mural project.

“I knew the kids would be excited by a project for The Light House,” stated Jessica Jackman during her speech at the event. “It is such a good opportunity for our students to see their art displayed and feel like what they are doing in the classroom has a place in the real world and that it makes a difference.”

At the start of this project, Sarah E. Ryan visited Annapolis High School and spoke to the art students. She shared information about how The Light House serves the community and how their artwork could positively impact their spaces and programs. The students learned that The Light House is a place where individuals and families from all walks of life call home, including from the many different areas around Anne Arundel County. They also learned that The Light House is a place where community members who are chronically homeless, newly homeless, or at risk of homelessness are welcomed. These community members are given access to programs including pantry items, shower and laundry facilities, case management services, and other simple dignities such as sitting down in their community room for a warm meal. Students reflected on the many diverse neighborhoods and communities in which they themselves call home and how they could best represent this through art. They reflected on what Annapolis and community means to them and what it might mean to those who receive services at The Light House.

The end result of this project is 12 beautiful murals, each one painted on an 8-foot by 4-foot wooden panel. These finished murals are now mounted in four different areas of The Light House, including the entry way, community room, and employment resource center on the main floor, as well as the shared family room area and the children’s play area on the third floor.

“Our 24,000 square foot facility provides homelessness prevention and support services to over 100 community members in need each day,” stated Sarah E. Ryan. “A lot happens within these walls and having a warm and inviting environment is an important part of who we are as an organization. It is vital that our spaces reflect the incredible community we serve, and we are so grateful that Jessica Jackman and her many talented students took on this project and put their hearts and talent into the designs. When you see these murals on our walls, you can see that they were made with love. They are a shining example of community art.”

The Light House serves over 2,500 community members in need each year and we rely on the support from our community. Learn more about how you can be a part of The Light House by visiting our Get Involved page today!