Youth Mural Unveiled: A Celebration of Youth, Art, and Restorative Justice
The energy inside the Madison Children’s Museum was nothing short of electric on the evening of July 10. After months of planning, dreaming, and creating, youth from YWCA Madison’s Restorative Justice Clubs gathered for a moment they had been anticipating—the joining of their collective mural.
The three-panel mural, born from restorative justice circles and a co-creation process led by artist Rodrigo Carapia, Mya Williams, and YWCA Madison’s Restorative Justice team, came together for the first time among the artists and an audience of community members. Joined at the front of the room, the mural filled the space with beauty, pride, and joy.
Each panel tells a unique story, reflecting the identity and values of the youth who created it:
Meadowood: A tree rooted in community and a flowing river symbolize reflection and growth.
Bayview: The sun, moon, and butterfly celebrate balance, transformation, and resilience.
Goodman: Two hands forming a heart, a globe, and hibiscus flowers honor love, diversity, and individuality.
After sharing a meal together, one by one, each young artist stepped forward to sign their name on the mural—a simple yet powerful gesture of authorship and a lasting mark on a shared story through vibrant colors, layered symbols, and collaborative vision.
The July 10 unveiling marks not an ending, but an exciting beginning. YWCA Madison’s Restorative Justice team is building on this momentum through the newly launched Restore Art initiative. This program will continue to weave art and restorative practices together, offering youth more opportunities to express themselves, heal, and connect through creativity. Dani RAD, Tuwile Roots, and Paola Mayorga will be supporting the next co-creation experiences with the youth.
We invite you to follow along as Restore Art takes shape. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and highlights from future collaborations.
