Unity Mural adds to the vibrancy of offerings in midtown
Private & Non-Profit Collaboration Makes Midtown More Colorful
Citizens have a hand in creating new mural
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—NAI TALCOR, Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) and muralist Cosby Hayes have collaborated to design a new mural on a brick wall by Fire Betty’s Arcade Bar. On January 24, 2019 from 2 p.m.–4 p.m. about 25 people will start painting the interactive mural that subtly showcases the diversity of residents and offerings in the midtown area.
“This mural adds to the vibrancy of offerings in midtown,” said Slaton Murray, Advisor at NAI TALCOR and 2018 KCCI Community Catalyst. “Daily, hundreds of people walk by this brick wall on their way to Manor @ Midtown venues, and we thought let’s paint something that brightens the area while bringing people together.”
KCCI has been promoting placemaking and the importance of enhancing quality of life through citizen-driven projects since 2007. Murals are one way to create a tangible sense of place destination, which often can result in increased foot traffic and improved economic vitality, according to the Community Rejuvenation Project.
The Assembly Civic Design Guidelines cited that “scholarly research suggests that small changes in design and messaging can dramatically influence people’s sense of welcome—and shape civic life.”
“It is through Tallahassee’s diversity that our greatest strengths emerge, I aim to celebrate that fact through my public art,” said Cosby Hayes, muralist. “KCCI and the community it fosters has had such an incredible impact on my life and career here in town. I hope this mural will inspire the next class of KCCI Catalysts and all others who interact with it.”
The mural, which depicts multi-generational hands from a diverse range of backgrounds, aims to be interactive with the images of hands allowing visitors to recreate the image. It was designed by muralist Cosby Hayes with input from NAI TALCOR and KCCI. It is being painted by KCCI 2019 and 2018 Community Catalysts, which are volunteers, and are led by the design of Cosby Hayes.
The painting of this mural will be a bonding activity for the Catalysts on the last day of the training for their project, Red Hills Rhythm. Through this project the team is helping activate the Coal Chute Pond area along FAMU Way through a variety of ways, one of which will be creating an interactive-musical element in this future public green space.
“This is a great way to showcase a variety of things you can find in the Midtown area, while also representing the diversity of Tallahassee,” said Betsy Couch, KCCI Executive Director. “The mural brings together former and current KCCI Community Catalysts while also attracting the engagement of the community.”
KCCI’s past teams have created murals throughout the city, from the Welcome to Midtown mural on Thomasville Road to the SOMO, Frenchtown Farmer’s Market and Uptown murals. KCCI’s team also created the TLH letters that have been a popular feature since their creation April 2018, and were listed as the No. 4 most instagrammable spot in Leon County by Visit Tallahassee.
For more information about NAI TALCOR visit www.naitalcor.com, for information about KCCI visit www.KCCITallahassee.com, or about Artist Cosby Hayes visit www.facebook.com/CosbyHayesArtist.