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Summer 2001: FLIGHT
The Jolie Crider Memorial Skate Park, Clifty Park
Marr Road and Indiana Avenue, Columbus
The Site
This space is a good example of what young people can do when
given the opportunity. Jolie Crider was a Columbus North High
School student who died unexpectedly in the spring of 1998.
An energetic, athletic, loving young woman, she had a wonderful
gift for looking beyond the surface and seeing her peers for
their true natures. She had many friends.
One friend in particular, Joe Nierman,
saw the opportunity to honor her memory and serve a community
need at the same time. Nierman approached the City about building
a skate park where skaters (both in-line and boarders) could
hone their skills without fear of breaking the law. Parks
Director Chuck Wilt agreed that local government would help
on the condition that Nierman raise the funds and help build
the facility. Nierman accepted the challenge, raising the
funds, conducting a lengthy site selection process, drawing
blueprints, and hiring developers who have a national reputation
for building skateboard parks. Nierman and his friends even
slept on the site during the three-week construction process
to guard the building materials. The end result is a place
that these young people can truly call their own. Nierman
won a 1999 Indiana Youth Investment Award from the Indiana
Youth Institute for his efforts.
The Process
The Skate Park seemed the perfect location for our second
mural. It possessed the potential to bring together a dynamic
mix of populations. Thus, we began the project with a week-long
workshop on June 11 with 12 teens, seven Youth Services counselors
and two artists. The week included group work, writing and
drawing exercises, a history of the site, issues surrounding
a living memorial, and discussions of the challenges and ultimate
goals of the project.
Between June 16 and July 30, our lead artist, Dante Ventresca,
developed the artistic plan for the mural. We began painting
on July 30 and completed the mural on August 10. During the
two weeks of painting, we worked with 25 at-risk teens and
12 Youth Services employees, in addition to skaters, Parks
Department and Arts Council staff, and a large number of community
volunteers. We were pleased that three teens from the 2000
project returned to lend a hand.
Partnership
A partnership with Northern
Paint and Supply and Porter
Paints was created in 2001, allowing us to use the best
materials for this and future projects.
Contributors
Nugent Foundation
Wylie Foundation
Cinergy Foundation
Irwin Union Bank
The Culture Club
Northern Paint & Supply
Porter Paints
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
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