Celebrating the EveryChild Mural Dedication & Metro Arts Projects

Quad City Arts invites the community to attend the dedication of the new EveryChild mural on Friday, July 10, at 9:00 a.m. at EveryChild, 420 23rd St., Rock Island. 

Created by apprentices in Quad City Arts' Metro Arts Apprenticeship Program under the direction of lead artist Sarah Robb, the mural features paper cranes flowing from a radiant sunburst surrounding a parent and child. The artwork welcomes visitors to EveryChild's recently opened facility and reflects themes of hope, growth, and community. 

“EveryChild was proud to partner with Quad City Arts’ Metro Arts Apprentice Program to create this mural. Before moving to Rock Island, we were often known as the building with the mural in Moline. It became a recognizable symbol of who we are and the work we do in the community. As we established our new home, we wanted to create that same sense of identity and connection. We wanted people to see the mural and immediately know they had arrived at EveryChild. This building exists for the children and families we serve, and the mural is a reflection of the hope, resilience, and support that EveryChild provides every day” said Nicole Mann, President of EveryChild. 

The dedication celebrates one of several public art projects being completed through Quad City Arts' Metro Arts Apprenticeship Program, which runs from June 8 through July 23. The program provides paid summer employment opportunities that connect young artists with professional artists through mural creation, poetry, publishing, and public performance. Apprentices gain hands-on workplace experience, develop artistic and professional skills, build portfolios, and create work that has a lasting impact on the community, helping make the Quad Cities a more vibrant place to live. 

The community is also invited to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's apprentices at the annual Metro Arts Showcase on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. in the TMBC Lincoln Center Auditorium, 318 E. Seventh St., Davenport. The free event will feature original artwork, poetry, and community projects created throughout the summer and offer the opportunity to meet the apprentices and experience firsthand how creativity is helping shape the next generation of artists and leaders in the Quad Cities. 

Ben Gougeon, Quad City Arts' Director of Community Engagement, credits Metro Arts with helping shape the careers of young artists, with many alumni going on to successful creative careers. "Metro Arts gives young people paid opportunities to develop artistic and professional skills while creating meaningful work for our community. Whether they pursue careers in the arts or another field, they're gaining valuable experience and leaving a lasting impact through public art and community partnerships. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing a Metro Arts alum leading creative projects of their own in the Quad Cities." 

​This year's program is made possible through support from the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Rock Island, the City of Davenport, the Brissman Foundation, the Davenport Noon Optimist Club, and the Morency Foundation. 
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Poetry Apprenticeship 
Poet and educator Aubrey Barnes returns for his fourth year as lead artist for the Metro Arts Poetry Apprenticeship. Participants spend the summer writing, revising, illustrating, and publishing original poetry that will be compiled into a professionally produced chapbook. Apprentices also develop public speaking and performance skills through community readings and performances, sharing their original work and building confidence as creative voices in the Quad Cities. 

Throughout the program, apprentices work collaboratively to refine their writing, explore new forms of creative expression, and gain firsthand experience in the publishing process—from developing original pieces to preparing them for print. The program culminates in the annual Metro Arts Showcase, where apprentices share their work with family, friends, and the community, celebrating a summer of artistic growth and achievement. 

By providing young writers with paid opportunities to create, perform, and publish their work, the Metro Arts Poetry Apprenticeship empowers participants to see themselves as artists and storytellers while strengthening the cultural fabric of the Quad Cities. 

Public Murals 
This summer, Metro Arts apprentices are creating three public art projects that will bring new murals to community spaces across the Quad Cities. Working alongside professional artists, apprentices gain hands-on experience in design, collaboration, and large-scale public art production while contributing artwork that celebrates local stories, organizations, and community identity. 

In addition to the newly completed EveryChild mural in Rock Island, lead artist Sarah Robb is guiding apprentices on a second project at The River's Edge, 700 W. River Drive, Davenport. Funded through the City of Davenport, the installation consists of six panels highlighting the fun, diverse programs and activities offered through Davenport Parks and Recreation. Completion of the panels is anticipated by July 10, with installation and dedication at a later date. 

For the first time, artist Amanda Stout is leading Metro Arts apprentices in creating two murals at the TMBC Lincoln Center, 318 E. Seventh St., Davenport. Located in the hallway outside the auditorium, the murals celebrate the influence and legacy of Black music and Black film. This project is supported by the Davenport Noon Optimist Club and the Morency Foundation and is scheduled for completion on July 22, with a dedication during the Metro Arts Showcase on July 23. 

Together, these projects demonstrate the power of public art to transform spaces, tell community stories, and provide young artists with meaningful opportunities to leave a lasting mark on the Quad Cities. 
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