Out of Many, One

Out of Many, One expresses the beauty and value of every person, no matter their age, status, or situation in life.  It is a portrait of the Lincoln Center community.

The mural was created in collaboration with Marian University’s teen service day during their annual mission week in summer 2017.  The Marion University teens and youth “at risk” from the surrounding neighborhood traced each others’ silhouettes, and then filled in the background according to a pre-planned set of imagery.  Interestingly, the plan “fell apart” as the mural execution moved from right to left, with the community painters using their own creativity and ideas to express their joy and spontaneity. True to The Lincoln Center’s philosophy, everyone painting the mural had something of value to add to the collective effort and everyone was able to learn from the project.  The result is more than any one person could have accomplished alone.

Bethany Friesen, the assistant director of The Lincoln Center, conceived the mural’s design and working method.

The Lincoln Center is a project of the faith-based organization Dathouse, and functions as a community gathering place and after-school youth ministry for residents of the Bates Hendricks neighborhood.  Lincoln Lane Coffee Shop, in the same building as The Lincoln Center, is a conversation facilitator and fundraising effort for The Lincoln Center.