As a 2001 alumna of Eastern University, Sonya Smith now works for the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia. She started working for them six years ago. She is an art instructor for the program ArtWorks.
ArtWorks is a free educational program for middle and high school students in the city.
The program works with the Department of Human Services to help keep youth out of trouble and to give them academic assistance and job readiness training.
It teaches the students good communication skills, how to solve conflicts and how to be well-articulated in school.
Students are pushed to reflect upon themselves and their communities, pulling from artistic and social history. This program begins in October and ends in August. The fall, winter and spring sessions are ten weeks, two days a week, for three hours.
Smith is continuing her education at Temple University. She is in their art education program and will be graduating in January.