MECA
Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts
Website redesign & poster series – Spring 2020
MECA began in 1977, growing out of the St. Joseph Fun ‘n Food Fest, the first citywide celebration of the various cultural groups that lived in inner-city Houston. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the Old Sixth Ward led the festival; the church’s pastor, Father Sam Rosales, asked MECA’s founder and executive director, Alice E. Valdez, to build upon the spirit of community created by the festival by developing a program that would provide alternative arts activities for the city’s youth and families. MECA received 501(c)(3) status and was incorporated in 1979; in 1993, MECA moved to its current home in the historic Dow School building in the Old Sixth Ward. Built in 1912 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the school is currently undergoing restoration through MECA’s Dow School Rehabilitation Project.
MECA programs are nationally recognized for producing talented student artists. Such recognition includes being designated a Point of Light by President George H. W. Bush and being named a four-time semi-finalist for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities Coming Up Taller Award. Student ensembles and artists also are known for their talent and achievements; recently, the National Endowment named the advanced Mariachi ensemble an American Masterpieces Touring Ensemble for the Arts.
The goal of this project is to reach more lower income families of all ethnicities and their children so that they are aware of the benefits of coming to MECA. I also aim to define the ways in which MECA can help children explore the arts now and in their futures. In addition, I aim to generate a reason for parents to bring their children to MECA. I want them to consider allowing us to help shape their children’s futures in the arts moving forward, even into college.
POSTER SERIES
WEBSITE REDESIGN
PROCESS
Documented here is my process of creating a new logo beginning with word mapping the entire brand. Also featured is the new logo explained and my process of redesigning the non-profit. Logo comprises two important aspects of the organization.
