Mural Planning & Arts Workshops
From July 2024 through January 2026, Maria Gabriela Aldana served as the artistic director behind the scenes of AWE’s first public arts initiative, guiding youth participants and staff through a collaborative public art-making process. She facilitated concept development, community engagement, site-specific design concepts, and mural production plan, ensuring that young artists’ voices remained central. Through mentorship, creative leadership, and hands-on support, Aldana fostered an inclusive environment where youth could explore self-expression, build artistic skills, and contribute meaningfully to public artworks that strengthened community identity and neighborhood pride.
Art of Solidarity is Baltimore's first community-based organization centering immigrant youth in public arts engagement.