Making it Happen: YA/YA Artist Madania Graves

Although many of YA/YA’s pre-Katrina artists are still living outside the city, some have returned and are making a big difference – like painter Madania Graves. Working as a lead youth artist and mentor, he has conducted Urban Heroes workshops at four schools and several workshops in the YA/YA studio. He was involved the first Orleans Parish “Coming Home Mural” at the CAC, and has played a huge role in the production of the new Jefferson Parish “Coming Home Mural” at Ames Elementary. Madania, formerly a YA/YA youth artist and now a staffer, has proven that YA/YA builds leaders in our community who continue to give back.