Creative pointers

The wall across from the Hawthorne Recreation Center, 12th and Carpenter streets, is taking a different direction.

Many directions, in fact.

"Directions" is the name of a 100-foot-plus-long mural that is a collage of paint, spray paint, porcelain and glass — to name just a few materials.

"The mural has arrows pointing in all directions, except down because of its negativity, and will have gears that will turn," said local artist Mike Smash, who is creating the massive work with co-designer Dan Hopkins, aka "Pose 2," and the help of community youths.

The artists’ canvas is the wall of an industrial warehouse occupied by fashion companies, and owned by art philanthropist Steve Krupnik.

"Directions" will be the fourth mural completed around the Hawthorne campus. The previous three are "4 Seasons," "Chakaba" and "Dragons."

Hawthorne’s management has been very receptive to the murals and the community involvement they encourage, Smash noted.

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Department of Human Services and other public and private donors fund the artwork.

"I just want something to be on the wall for all people to see," said Smash, a 30-year-old native of Norristown who now lives in South Philadelphia.

Students from a Hawthorne arts class participate in helping Smash and other artists complete the mural. The pre-teens and teenagers are serving community-service sentences for various crimes — including graffiti vandalism.

"The kids’ involvement is crucial," said Smash, whose fianc�e, Colleen Kane, also is working on the mural project.

With everyone pitching in, the mural is near completion.

"We started in mid-April and should be done by the end of June, maybe even early July," said Smash.

The schedule for each mural project depends on the correct planning and sketching of its design, said the artist. Deciding whether to use paint or another art material is a very laborious process, he noted.

"I download pictures of the mural onto my computer and look at them for a while to see what other materials I could use to show something," said Smash.

So far, he believes the latest Hawthorne mural is going, well, in the right direction.

"I am very proud of the work being done," said Smash.

Taste of culture

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, along with mural artist Dan Hopkins, will sponsor the Fifth Annual BBoy BBQ, "flavored by" Phat Farm Footwear, this weekend.

The event will take place Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., at the Hawthorne Recreation Center, 12th and Carpenter streets. Highlights will include music, food, live performances and an all-day "BBoy/BGirl Jam Session."

For more information, visit www.bboy-bbq.com or call 215-978-8774.