SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls teenager made national news in August after he vandalized city property.
Jaden Brunz painted some graffiti in one of the city’s tunnels on the bike path. The graffiti earned Brunz a hefty fine. However, Mayor Paul TenHaken saw something in the artwork and decided the teenager deserved a second chance.
Brunz story is inspiring others, including a Sioux Falls art teacher. You might remember the story By CBS’s David Begnaud. Instead of condemning Brunz, Mayor Paul Tenkhaken saw his talent, and paid him to create an original piece of artwork for his office. The price? $700, the exact amount of the fine for vandalism. The story has changed the 18-year-old’s life and led to other art projects.
“So I am doing this painting for the school for the kids to brighten up the school a little more,” Jaden said.
The school district hired him to paint this large mural inside Laura B. Anderson Elementary.
“Our mayor gave him a second chance and we are all about seconds chances with our kids too,” said Melinda Bleeker, an art teacher at the elementary school.
Bleeker is now using Jaden’s story and graffiti to get more kids interested in art. Just like Jaden, the kids created their own graffiti wall made up of watercolor paintings.
“I think its exciting because kids can relate to art, its something everyone can be good at, whether they, it’s not like one answer like with math, and art is all kinds of answers, they can problem solve they can get into it and its fun to see them get excited about it,” said Bleeker.
The kids have to put some thought into their paintings. Melany has her favorite colors already picked out. “Purple, red and orange,” she said.
The mural on the school wall sends a clear message to the kids “Be Engaged.”
“Some of our kids think they are too cool for it, but that graffiti they really got into that. We did talk about how you wanted permission before you draw on walls so they are not all out doing graffiti,” said Bleeker with a chuckle.
Leave it to a teacher to find the teachable moment in this story of forgiveness, talent and redemption.
“It was cool for them to see how he turned it around and he got another chance,” said Bleeker.
