South Guilford News

Emilio Marz

Greensboro-based artist Emilio Marz was selected for an artist residency in the Random Woods community as part of Creative Greensboro’s Neighborhood Arts Residency Program.

Marz led community engagement, arts programming, and a basketball mural installation during his six-month residency.

Throughout his residency, Marz hosted free drawing sessions based at Alderman Elementary School and worked with the students, park users, and residents to design original artwork for the park’s basketball court and backboards. The art installation features colorful characters, swirling lines, and the name of the neighborhood.

Marz has 15 years of experience as a painter and graphic designer, and holds an Associate’s degree in graphic design from Forsyth Technical Community College. He created the “Pieces of Now” mural at the Greensboro History Museum and the illustration used for the 2022 Carolina Blues Festival poster. He also organizes community dance events such as the “My City Get Down Dance Battle” during the 2021 Greensboro Food Truck Festival.

From The Community

“The new artwork at the basketball court is colorful and inviting, and was needed to bring the park to life,” said Barbara Washington, a resident of Random Woods. “This residency program is great because it brought art into the community, to our neighborhood. The day we celebrated the new artwork, I could see the kids were really enjoying playing on the court. Emilio and his team of artists produced outstanding artwork that was everything we envisioned. I think the kids will continue to come out more and play on the court.”

Original source can be found here.