KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Kenosha County officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the unveiling of two murals created by young participants in the county’s Youth Employment in the Arts program, marking both a historic milestone and the values of youth empowerment.
The larger mural commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Kenosha County Courthouse, which was formally celebrated in August. Featuring the logo designed for the centennial alongside a depiction of the courthouse’s historic Ceremonial Courtroom, the piece will soon be installed inside the courthouse as restoration work on the courtroom continues.
The second mural is rooted in education and empowerment, celebrating the Circle of Courage philosophy that guides programming at the Kenosha Unified School District’s Hillcrest School. The Circle emphasizes belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity as the pillars of youth development. That mural will hang inside Hillcrest’s new location at the former Wilson Elementary School.
Both works were completed this summer by teens employed through Youth Employment in the Arts, a program that operates as part of Kenosha County’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Now in its 17th year, the initiative provides paid, supervised work opportunities for young people ages 14 to 21 who are referred by social workers, counselors, and other professionals.
This year, 141 youth were enrolled across 21 public- and private-sector worksites. County officials emphasized that the murals not only showcase talent but also represent the program’s ongoing role in helping at-risk youth gain confidence, skills, and meaningful connections to the community.
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One Response
Beautiful!