The Golden Door 2024

Global HeART Warming

CITYarts collaborated with artist Xin Song and Emma Lazarus High School students to design and create a mural in 2024. The mural titled The Golden Door and is now part of the Poets Garden at Emma Lazarus High School.

As part of the Community Identity program, The Golden Door encouraged youth to use the creative process to bring a breath of fresh air to their surroundings. At the same time, workshops provided youth with an opportunity to work together towards a common goal and take shared ownership of a public art project, teaching them essential life skills and foundational art skills. Youth enhanced their critical and creative thinking abilities, improved communication skills, and became more actively engaged in their community.

The mural is inspired by the school’s namesake, Emma Lazarus, whose poem “The New Colossus” is at the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.