WE HELP COMMUNITY ARTISTS SPREAD THEIR ART.  EVERY GEMELA PURCHASE CONTRIBUTES TO THAT MISSION.

GEMELA | PROJECT : TELEFERICO MURAL // I.a.2016

WHO | For the last three years,  every three to six months we find ourselves back in the beautiful favela of Complexo do Alemão that all started when we were teaching jewelry classes to kids there at an NGO.  In  Spring 2015 we met Mariluce Maria  and a special partnership + friendship  were instantaneously created.  Mariluce is a muralist, born + raised in Complexo do Alemão, Rio do Janeiro's largest + arguably most controversial favela.  

WHAT | Mariluce donates her time, heart + soul along with the talented youth of the Complexo to paint vibrant murals on the most destructed walls of the community.   She has painted _______ and counting.

WHY | Mariluce paints to get the kids off the street, she paints to catapult their creative talents, she paints give them an avenue of expression + she paints to transform the most deteriorated walls of favelas into a true story and definition of favela vibrancy and love. 

THE PROJECT |

Mariluce just needs a few basics to make these murals happen: acrylic paint, brushes, a paint compressor + snacks for the kids.

She has earned incredible accolades from press around the globe (TedX, Vice, Globo, A Folha...) but these merits haven't yet been able to materialize into more paintbrushes + paint cans for the mighty Complexo team.   In 2015 we met Mariluce + her dynamite husband, Cleber, who helped paint us the true picture of their community through their eyes.  Together we saw so many opportunities to improve conditions for kids but unanimously agreed we need to get them supplies to keep them painting! This is where GEMELA sees an opportunity to jump in to help share Mariluce's talents and story to ultimately get support to bring painting tools into the hands of Mariluce and the talented Complexo kids. 

HOW | GEMELA is brining Mariluce here in Spring/Summer 2016 to paint her story and our inspirations onto the walls of our community.  We're elated to share that we've already secured one incredible wallspace in the center of Williamsburg.  We're hungry for more collaborations of additional murals, indoor gallery spaces + partnerships while she's here. If you're interested in collaborations please contact us at: hi@gemeladesign.com!

You can purchase Mariluce's paintings here.