Student Artwork Showcased on Traffic Control Box
Maclay Student Selected as Local Artist for Art of the Box Project
Olivia Schroeder’s “Acorns to Oaks” Featured in Art of the Box
APRIL 13, 2021 (TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) – City leaders and KCCI Community Catalysts today unveiled the latest installment of Art of the Box, an ongoing communitywide initiative to transform utilitarian boxes into public art, celebrating a traffic control box near the Maclay campus that now features a student’s original artwork.
Maclay sophomore Olivia Schroeder’s “Acorns to Oaks” piece is displayed on the traffic control box on the intersection of Maclay Road and Meridian Road, following a schoolwide call for art submissions. Maclay parents Chris and Susanne Dudley, whose sons attend the school, sponsored the box.
“Public art is a vital part of our city’s beauty,” said Mayor John Dailey, who attended the unveiling. “I am delighted to see students putting their artistic mark on our city and I’m proud that we have programs like Art of the Box to highlight local artists of all ages.”
This artistically covered box is the 10th installation for Art of the Box, a project first piloted by Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) and partners like the City of Tallahassee that allows artists the opportunity to exhibit art outdoors in the public realm by having their artwork printed onto vinyl, which wrap the traffic control boxes and transform two-dimensional artworks into outdoor three-dimensional murals for all to enjoy. Art of the Box helps to deter graffiti and showcase local artists.
Today’s unveiling is part of Maclay School’s annual Celebration of the Arts week, which is celebrating art and wellness through Pop-Up concerts, chalk walk art, photo contents, and random acts of kindness.
“Olivia is just one example of the many ways our students at Maclay are shining both on our campus and within the community,” said James Milford, Head of School at Maclay. “We believe in offering abundant opportunities for our students to develop their gifts and are so grateful for the ways our city and community share in that vision to encourage these students to continue to grow.”
The city selected Schroeder’s art with input from KCCI’s 2021 Community Catalysts, whose focus this year is on generating more art in public spaces and expanding Art of the Box throughout the city and county. The county has committed $20,000 to wrap four large utility boxes, and a Call for Artists was issued earlier this month.
Until May 15, students, residents and artists are invited to submit artwork for consideration for placement on Leon County utility boxes through an online application process. Details on submission parameters and the project can also be found on the Art of the Box web page, ArtofTheBox.org. Anyone can submit artwork ideas free of charge. Art designs should enhance the surrounding environment and portray color and creativity.
KCCI Community Catalysts have also identified a corridor of traffic control boxes throughout the city that are ideal candidates for graffiti abatement. They will present the corridor concept to city commissioners at an upcoming meeting.
“Public art increases community engagement, improves mental health and encourages social cohesion,” said Betsy Couch, KCCI Executive Director. “Art of the Box provides a variety of benefits including economic opportunity and marketing for local artists while showcasing the diversity of talent we have in our community.”
The Art of the Box project is a public/private collaboration between non-profit KCCI, The City of Tallahassee, Leon County, FASTSIGNS and COCA. For more information about Art of the Box, visit ArtofTheBox.org.
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Established in 2007, KCCI is a local organization committed to positive placemaking and community collaboration in Tallahassee. KCCI projects have generated nearly $1 billion in economic impact for Leon County. A new group of volunteer Community Catalysts is selected to plan and implement each annual project. KCCI is made possible by partners including: Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida, Archibald Foundation, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, VyStar Credit Union, Taproot, FAMU School of Business and Industry, Florida State University College of Business, NAI Talcor, Structure Real Estate, Nolia & Bill Brandt, Lewis + Whitlock, Wood + Partners, Brown & Brown, BowStern Marketing, Serena and Jon Moyle, Cassidy and Company, Tharpe Construction, Flightline Group, Inc., Drs. Chaney, Couch, Callaway, Carter and Associates Family Dentistry, Charlie Johnson and Rowland Publishing.
The 2021 KCCI Community Catalyst team includes: Joey Arellano; Erika Branchcomb; Cyrus Calhoun III; Shannon Colavecchio; Nipa Eason; Talethia Edwards; Khari James; Tyler Maldonado; Marie Moyle; Ali Palmer; and Daniel Taylor.