If you were lucky enough to do paint-by-numbers as a child, then you might remember the joy of transforming a blank canvas into a colorful masterpiece just by following the color code. Color-by-number has made a comeback over the last few years, appealing to both kids and adults alike who are looking to rediscover their creativity.

On Saturday, well-renowned local artist Joshua Deitchman, with help from Principal Veronica Serrano at the Monticello Rutherford School, welcomed 300 children throughout the day for a fun-filled paint-by-number event. Deitchman began painting murals on the Rutherford School campus back in early September, starting with, what else, a Panther.

Once that was completed, he began painting his second piece at KLR, the paint-by-number artwork that would include the help of students from all around the district. “When I first saw graffiti, that’s what sparked my interest” [in art], Deitchman said as he spoke about his thought process behind the painting. “This will make everybody feel like they contributed to something that they see every day. They did this; this is their mural too!”

The idea for the mural came about in the spring when Serrano and Deitchman were coordinating the project. “Every time these kids look at the mural, they’ll say, ‘I painted that,” Serrano said. “Especially with Josh, who is a graduate of Monticello, coming back to give to the community, I can’t say enough about him, about the collaboration and the support that Monticello District has given me to create this event.”

Members of My Brothers Keeper served delicious food provided by El Sombrero to attendees.

One of the key messages of the event was that by creating this large-scale piece with the children in the community, Deitchman aims to show them that they can aspire to achieve great success and make a lasting impact in their own community.