Keep Manatee Beautiful is using part of a $5,000 grant for a Graffiti Hurts project.
The project is called School Art in Pride Park.
Teachers and student artists from five public schools in the Pride Park and Ten Oaks neighborhoods developed concepts showing what their neighborhoods mean to them.
They will paint their concepts on graffiti-filled walls and fences all month long.
Saturday, students from Daughtrey Elementary, Oneco Elementary and Harlee Middle painted an area near 9th St. E. and 63rd Ave. E.
Other students will complete their work on October 19, at the National Night Out in Pride Park event.
The County Solid Waste-Recycling Department donated 45 gallons of paint.
Keep Manatee Beautiful is in partnership with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the School Board of Manatee County and the Southeast Residents Association on this project.