ADAMS TWP — Motorists caught in the creeping traffic between Mars High School and Mars Home for Youth will soon notice a mural during their commute. But the colorful artwork will symbolize much more than paint on a canvas.

All 35 residents at the facility will help create a 5-foot by 16-foot mural to be placed along Route 228 in front of the home.

The mural is being completed under the direction of professional artist Bernie Wilkie as part of the ArtsPath program at Indiana (Pa.) University. ArtsPath is an arts-in-education program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

The program provides professional artists and art services to schools and other facilities in a five-county region including Butler.

Wilkie is spending 10 days with the home's residents during a three-week period, with the mural's dedication scheduled for Oct 1.

The mural will be painted on special fabric that will mount to a wooden billboard-type frame installed about 50 feet from the road.

Judy Rodgers, Mars Home's director of development, said initial plans included telling the home's history via the mural, which Wilkie would create and residents would paint.

But Rodgers was delighted to learn that the teens in residence wanted a mural that represents their experiences in life and at the Mars youth home.

“They wanted people to know what Mars Home for Youth is there for and what it is to be here,” Rodgers said. “It's really become their project.”

Administration and Wilkie quickly agreed to the teens' request, and the project began upon Wilkie's first visit Aug. 24.

On Tuesday, Wilkie worked with a group of residents in the home's gym, where the mural will be created before being moved to Route 228. As the six teen residents sat at a table strewn with colored pencils and scraps of art paper, Wilkie gently helped his group to decide on color placement, how the mural could incorporate a piece of art from each of the 35 residents involved, and whether colors should contrast starkly or subtly blend across the canvas.

Wilkie asked residents to come up with emotions associated with their experience, and then the list was culled to include seven emotions. It was jointly decided that those emotions would each be represented by an individual silhouette on the mural.

One teen suggested a drawing of a person with hands crossed on their chest to represent healing. Other residents suggested representations for rage, melancholy, boredom, courage and optimism.

Wilkie then handed out small sheets of paper and colored pencils for the residents, who were assigned to make a rough drawing of their ideas. Aside from steering the teens away from using obvious symbols like a heart or peace sign to represent the emotions, Wilkie encouraged the teens to brainstorm.

“There are no bad ideas,” the soft-spoken Wilkie told his class.

One resident, whose name cannot be used per Mars Home policy, said the unique project affirms that Mars Home for Youth considers its clients' input important. She said the art project has also shown her a new way to express anger, happiness and other emotions.

The resident also appreciated Wilkie's relaxed style of instruction.

“I like him because he explains and gives ideas, but the kids can do their own thing.”

Wilkie in turn appreciates the home's residents and the enthusiasm and ownership they have shown for the mural project.

“They really have a lot of ideas and creativity,” Wilkie said.

Wilkie has completed dozens of murals involving kids, senior citizens and college students during his years with ArtsPath. Most are in Indiana County and the Philadelphia area.

Wilkie ended up at the home because his wife is a 1989 Mars High School graduate. He said she suggested the Mars Home for a project, which he in turn mentioned to ArtsPath coordinators.

Wilkie said rather than an institution that houses at-risk children and adolescents, the bucolic Mars Home for Youth campus “feels like home.”

“The staff is so supportive,” Wilkie said. “There's plenty of space. This is a great place to be.”

Asked his vision for the mural, Wilkie said he never goes into a project like the Mars Home mural with a preconceived idea of its outcome.

“It has to come from the kids.”

The mural will be dedicated at a public open house at Mars Home for Youth, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 1 in conjunction with the Mars Applefest.

More information on ArtsPath is available at www.iup.edu/artspath.