Unveiling of beautification project for Prospect Corridor Saturday is a first look at an art collaboration aiming to deter crime, raise awareness

For once, drawing all over a house will not only be allowed, but encouraged.

Nearly 50 amateur artists have spent more than a month, working alongside professional artist mentors, to prepare murals as part of the Urban Canvas KC project. These murals, to be unveiled Saturday, are slated to adorn seven vacant properties in the Prospect Corridor, from 25th street to 39th street and Paseo to Indiana Avenue. The door-sized murals will be placed on properties chosen by the neighborhood groups as part of efforts to beautify and bring attention to the residences, with the hope that attention also deters crime.

Kansas City No Violence Alliance (KC NoVA), in partnership with Local Initiative Support Corporation, Arts Tech, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Vine Street Studio, and the Community Response Team, started Urban Canvas KC in July.

The project also aims to engage young people in the community, and to educate the young artists on practical skills, such as learning how to submit their art to museums and for competitions. During the event, the mentors will identify two young artists who will receive scholarships to attend workshops at the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, provided by a partnership with the museum.

The Urban Canvas Unveiled event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Workhouse Castle, 2100 Vine St.

The Kansas City No Violence Alliance, and its attempts to build trust with the community living east of the Troost divide, will be featured in a documentary from filmmaker Michael Price and KCPT, expected to air in early 2016.