Brush With the Law is an inclusive community arts nonprofit that uses art as a tool for social change, healing, and connection. We collaborate with professional artists, students, advocates, and individuals from the behavioral health, disability, and justice-impacted communities to create public art projects that foster understanding, empowerment, and community pride. Through creative engagement, we provide meaningful opportunities for both adults and children to express themselves, build confidence, and transform shared spaces into symbols of resilience and inclusion.
About
Brush With the Law is a community-based arts organization dedicated to using creative expression as a force for connection, empowerment, and social awareness. Through inclusive public art projects, the organization engages diverse groups — from adults in recovery to children with different abilities — in transforming both personal stories and community spaces into lasting works of art.
CITY BEAUTIFICATION
Out on the streets is where participants need the most appreciation and the most cheerleading for their efforts in trying to regain a place in society. For the most part, drug addiction and mental health go hand in hand; due to similarities, this is also true for drug addiction and criminal activity. Brush With the Law quickly evolved into a community re-entry arts program focusing on community service by seeking out city beautification projects.
Beautification is the process of making visual improvements emphasizing the necessity of order, dignity, and harmony.
Who works on the various projects BWTL takes on?
- College students (Arcadia University, Kutztown University, Montgomery County Community College, Bryn Mawr College)
- ARD Program – Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
- DOC Prisoners – SCI Phoenix, SCI Greene, Montgomery County Correctional Facility
- Probation/Parole
- Mental/Behavioral Health
- People in recovery from substance use
- People with community hours to serve
- Community members who want to volunteer their time to a cause that engages people to work together.
All participants work creatively together on projects.
THE PROCESS
We often use the Polytab Method (a.k.a. “parachute cloth”) for murals. Polytab is a non-woven fabric, lighter-than-canvas material that takes on the form of the substrate it is applied to. Traditionally used in the garment industry, this fabric is now widely used in large public mural art projects.
The “parachute cloth” method makes it possible for people in all different places and spaces to participate in the creation of murals. This method allows us to take the fabric to various facilities for participants to draw, paint, and adhere to the prepared surface.
