Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has transformed the playground, pickleball, and basketball courts at Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance with a magnificent large-scale mural as part of the university's SCAD SERVE “Paint Our Parks” public art initiative.

Paint Our Parks is a unique university initiative envisioned by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace focused on serving the citizens of Savannah and Atlanta through the creativity, expertise and altruism of SCAD’s supremely talented network of students and alumni. Since the initiative launched in fall 2021, five playgrounds, basketball courts, and other recreational spaces have been painted in Atlanta. This is the fourth playground mural in the Savannah area, the others were painted at Coastal Middle School, Hodge Elementary School, and Greenbriar Children’s Center.

SCAD has contributed significant funds for the restoration of the playgrounds’ court surfaces and towards the creation of a larger-than-life mural. The mural at the JEA spans approximately 115 feet by 109 feet. SCAD alumnus Melyssa Amann (B.F.A., illustration, 2020), a Savannah resident, designed the JEA’s mural.

Amann’s design was inspired by the mission of the JEA and features a menorah at the center of the mural along with the Star of David and illustrations of hands reaching out into the community.

“Creating this mural with SCAD SERVE has been a surreal experience. It has been such an honor to work alongside SCAD again to create something so beautiful and meaningful for the Jewish Educational Alliance community in my home city of Savannah," said Amann. "Seeing the excitement of the members of the JEA and their children while working on this mural meant so much to me and excited me to have played a role in uplifting and energizing their community. As an artist, it is always magical to see your designs come to life, especially at such a grand scale. The skills I refined as a SCAD student offered me the opportunity to be a catalyst for change, and I hope I inspire the next generation of visual innovators to do the same.”

Dozens of SCAD SERVE students, faculty, and staff volunteered, contributing more than 360 hours to this project, using more than 150 gallons of special acrylic paint.

“This project has been an amazing addition to the JEA property and working with the SCAD Serves team and muralist was a dream,” said JEA chief operating officer Jamie Richman. “The artist, Melyssa Amann, really captured the values of who we are. Themes such as community, ahava (love) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are deeply rooted in our Jewish tradition – plus, they were able to accommodate our request for both a basketball court, pickleball courts, four square and hopscotch. It is a multi-use space that will be used by so many as part of our growing programs – and it makes it extra special that it has such meaning behind the design. Thank you to SCAD, SCAD Serves, all of the volunteers and the SCAD community for this amazing gift.”

Paint Our Parks is an important community-focused initiative through which SCAD students, alumni and faculty realize shared visions of positivity, wellness and joy to uplift local neighborhoods. SCAD SERVE will continue working with local schools, civic and community leaders bringing these thrilling murals to deserving communities and neighborhoods.

For more information about SCAD SERVE, please visit www.scad.edu/scadserve.