This community mural was completed on August 2015 during a soft-opening for Celis Produce, a new organic produce market in West Palm Beach, Florida. The owners, three brothers native to the city, are great supporters of local businesses and have been welcomed by the community with open arms. Taking into account the strong following invited to the reception, we sought out to make this mural into a special community project.
Original artwork was plotted on the wall the week of the opening. A paint-by-number system was established using painter's tape to make up the triangles. The lower portion of the 14' x 8' mural was left unpainted so the guests —mostly friends and family— could paint a triangle of their choice.
As guests were handed a paintbrush, they would be asked to set an intention while painting, often explained as: “Imagine you're writing a greeting card to someone very dear to you." The project was very well received as many shared the mural space in its creation process. Some weren't very eager to grab a brush at first, but would soon put down their guard and devote their careful attention to painting within the lines. Others felt very comfortable and embraced the opportunity with bright smiles and happy brushstrokes. During these co-creative hours, there weren't optical barriers between one painter and the next. Once all the triangles were painted and dried, the tape was peeled off to reveal the image in its entirety. The satisfaction of completing a public piece of art then becomes an experience shared by many.
Many artists participated. A truly wonderful outcome.
This process, along with the positive social impact, carries an underlying message communicating through triangular pieces, which joined together at each angle, form visual clusters or families of different colors and sizes, not unlike the project artists themselves. Once the tape is peeled and the work is appreciated in its fullness, it also becomes simple to appreciate the inextricable connection between each piece, and their vital role in completing the whole, a visual metaphor for interconnection on any imaginable scale. The process serves as an open invitation to reflect on the interdependent nature of all things.
May we all work together!
In one peaceful world,
Anón
Original artwork was plotted on the wall the week of the opening. A paint-by-number system was established using painter's tape to make up the triangles. The lower portion of the 14' x 8' mural was left unpainted so the guests —mostly friends and family— could paint a triangle of their choice.
As guests were handed a paintbrush, they would be asked to set an intention while painting, often explained as: “Imagine you're writing a greeting card to someone very dear to you." The project was very well received as many shared the mural space in its creation process. Some weren't very eager to grab a brush at first, but would soon put down their guard and devote their careful attention to painting within the lines. Others felt very comfortable and embraced the opportunity with bright smiles and happy brushstrokes. During these co-creative hours, there weren't optical barriers between one painter and the next. Once all the triangles were painted and dried, the tape was peeled off to reveal the image in its entirety. The satisfaction of completing a public piece of art then becomes an experience shared by many.
Many artists participated. A truly wonderful outcome.
This process, along with the positive social impact, carries an underlying message communicating through triangular pieces, which joined together at each angle, form visual clusters or families of different colors and sizes, not unlike the project artists themselves. Once the tape is peeled and the work is appreciated in its fullness, it also becomes simple to appreciate the inextricable connection between each piece, and their vital role in completing the whole, a visual metaphor for interconnection on any imaginable scale. The process serves as an open invitation to reflect on the interdependent nature of all things.
May we all work together!
In one peaceful world,
Anón
Finished mural
Creating a matching menu board
Laying out the grid for the 14' x 8' mural
All hands (and boots) at work!
Soft-opening night
Peeling the tape
