Showcasing the many forms and functions of art helps to articulate the fundamental importance of art education, whether it is to enhance the child or to support society. In illuminating the importance of art education, educators can eloquently argue about its value and contributions through an institutional tunnel, or they can take art education literally out to the street to benefit people in the community and educate the students involved. Partnerships with local community organizations is essential if art education is to become part of a greater societal change, increase its social recognition, and promote its unique creative role in public schooling. This article emphasizes the connection between classroom learning and community involvement and describes how the authors engaged art methods students as artist participants in Via Colori[R], a street painting fundraising event. Through their work in the University of Houston's Art Education Program, the authors maintain that getting students, including K-12 levels, involved in community art events increases both the visibility and perceived value of art education in the public domain and possibly social recognition for art education, because it showcases practical contributions of art to the community. Community involvement serves as a catalyst for art educators to engage students in projects of possibility beyond the school walls, projects that offer them such a "real-world" learning opportunity as working directly and collaboratively with members of the community to solve community problems. These experiences can forge a sense of community while experiencing firsthand how art can really change people's lives. (Contains 6 figures and 3 endnotes.)