Mural Love Submission: Local ART teacher

My name is Katie Baca, and I have thrown my name in the hat for this specific project as a way to show a special group of students that you never know what you’re capable of until you just…TRY. I work with a unique population of students within APS who have severe emotional and behavioral needs. Like many children within APS and New Mexico, they’ve already lived more life than most adults at the hands of abuse, neglect, and poverty. As I’ve watched how my class can transform not only their moods and thoughts, but their mindsets altogether, it’s given me the courage and excitement to try something new myself. I’ve always wanted to get into murals, and know I’m capable…but life has a funny way of getting both in your head and in the way of your passions. I’m hoping to throw the what if’s out the window and prove some things to my kiddos.

I have worked in Title 1 schools my whole career along with creating my own art in all that free time people seem to think teachers have. I have a profound love for the students and families who make up that Title 1 population, and would love to create a mural dedicated to them. ABQ is desperate for change. It’s also desperate for it’s people to shift paradigms in terms of how to not only create that change, but create movement and momentum. This momentum if built on a foundation of love and understanding could be the necessary force to break the cyclical issues within generational poverty.

I think creating a beautifully simple work of art can start a conversation, plant a seed even…to passerby’s. Maybe they mull it over on the bus. Possibly bring it up on shift at work. Perhaps it creates excitement and wonder as to what it means and what it would look like to put into action. This city is worth the effort. I’d love the chance to contribute.