Chattanooga Police Officer Michael Ampthor enjoys a light moment with Adan Martinez as they paint their piece of art for the Unity Mosaic Project, which brought together Hispanics, whites, blacks and police officers in an effort to build bridges with law enforcement.Dozens of Ridgedale, Highland Park and East Lake residents filled the Ridgedale Outreach Center last week. Among them were several law enforcement officers.
It wasn’t negative news they were gathered for, but positive outreach.
They came to develop relationships with police while engaging in a fun activity – painting.
Ellen Heavilon worked with Highland Park Neighborhood Association safety chairwoman Olga de Klein to organize the event. Heavilon landed a community cultural arts grant from ArtsBuild to fund the project.
“I absolutely believe in the power of art and healing,” said Heavilon, founder of the H*Art Gallery of Tennessee, which offers art instruction and resources to help disadvantaged people get back on their feet again.