A blank canvas: Students working to transform foreclosed buildings into inspirational art

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- All over the city of Milwaukee, there are foreclosed properties. But one building is different from the rest. An empty building in the Bronzeville neighborhood may have a lasting impact on the city's future.

"So yes, people are used to seeing an empty building on this street corner. Now, you can see that it's really getting people's attention," Laci Coppins said.

"Inspired by the kids and brought to us by the kids," artist Stephanie Barenz said.

It began as a challenge issued by artist and educator Laci Coppins -- accepted by five students at St. Marcus Middle School.

They were challenged to create works of art -- transforming abandoned buildings into positive visions for the future.

Foreclosed homes have become inspirational pieces of public art through the "Voices for the Community; Visions for Milwaukee" project.

"It was an amazing experience," Coppins said.

"Taking those key words that came out of the conversation and things that we believe we can have for ourselves as a community," Coppins said.

For the students, the corner of North Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive became a blank canvas.

"We have a lot of blank canvases out there, so we're just waiting for artwork to bring life to them," Amy Kirschke with the Milwaukee Art Museum said.

"We hope that maybe other neighborhoods will be inspired by the project and work with Laci and the children in their neighborhood and activate some of the the abandoned spaces in their own communities," artist Stephanie Barenz said.

If that happens, as the gallery gets bigger, the community will grow stronger.

"Inspiring not only ourselves, but the next person so we can all excel together," Coppins said.

Students from St. Marcus are already transforming another empty building -- this one on 5th and North Avenue.

That building will be finished later this summer.