BURLINGTON, Iowa — There's no denying it; Kaylee Kramer is painted gold.
The West Burlington High School senior has achieved the Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. She did it by painting a mural, filled with legendary artists, at The Capitol Theater in Burlington, Iowa.
“I strongly believed that Burlington would greatly benefit from public art in our community,” Kramer said in a press release.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports 42.2% of adults struggle with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. On the flip side, people also report a 73% decrease in depression symptoms while enjoying art.
Those statistics inspired Kramer to reach for her paint brushes.
Kramer had already been in talks with The Capitol Theater for a possible internship. Once the topic of art came up, it didn't take long for a partnership to form.
The theatre is a beloved, historic building in the Burlington community.
Kramer spent weeks of lunch breaks, after-school hours and weekends at the theater working on her murals. She decorated them with iconic artists, such as Elton John, in the hopes that people visiting the space would not only enjoy the art, but hopefully be inspired to use art for mental wellness support in their everyday lives.
“I have made so many connections with people I otherwise would have never met, and I have also seen so many beautiful connections being made between the public and my mural. Seeing the faces of citizens and visitors light up at the sight of their favorite icon being honored in a colorful display is an unforgettable magic,” Kramer said in a press release. “It leaves people inspired and happy, which in turn keeps me inspired and happy as an artist.”
Kramer says she now sees people on social media reacting to her mural with #ArtHealthy posts.
"They’re sharing just how much of an impact the icons in the portraits have made on their life and the joy they get from seeing them honored in a public place," Kramer said.
On top of her mural, Kramer also completed a report on the impact art has on mental health.
Gold Award Girl Scouts must address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change, and then lead a team of people to success.
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