School Leaders, KCCI and VyStar Credit Union Unveil New Patriotic Mural at Gilchrist
School Leaders, KCCI and VyStar Credit Union Unveil New Patriotic Mural at Gilchrist
Mural by local Artist Vardyce Gaines was dedicated following annual Take a Veterans to School parade
Monday, Sept. 23 & Tuesday, Sept. 24
NOVEMBER 7, 2024 (TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) – Gilchrist School leaders and KCCI Community Catalysts today unveiled a new mural at Gilchrist Elementary School, the latest project in the 2024 Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) Catalyst Team’s efforts to expand access to public art while showcasing local artists and enhancing placemaking. The mural, painted by professional local artist Vardyce Gaines and sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, was unveiled during the school’s annual Take a Veteran to School Day which includes a Parade and student performances honoring local veterans.
The mural is part of VyStar Credit Union’s Good is Everywhere campaign and KCCI’s 2024 Placemaking Week, a series of events aimed at spaces where community members can gather, beautify the area and bridge divides.
VyStar, Gilchrist Elementary School, KCCI and Gaines collaborated to create the patriotic We Salute You mural, along with new benches and a rock garden that beautify the school’s community spaces. VyStar sponsored the mural and school enhancements as part of its founding commitment to serving the military and its ongoing support for community partnerships and enhancements.
“VyStar Credit Union has a long history of supporting military members and their families since our founding more than 72 years ago at Naval Air Station Jacksonville,” said Miron Richardson, VyStar Vice President of Universal Retail Banking. “We’re proud to collaborate with the school, KCCI and artist Vardyce Gaines on the ‘We Salute You’ patriotic mural which celebrates the courageous men and women who fought for our country.”
For PTO President Eva Horton, the mural and veterans celebration hold special meaning. Her uncle is a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. On Thursday, she accompanied her son James, a second grader, on piano as he played “America the Beautiful” on the violin.
“This whole day and tradition is such a unique opportunity for students to show respect and appreciation for Veterans,” Horton said. “They are just cheering them on! And this mural is just so good. It’s really nice to have a permanent reminder at Gilchrist about respectful pride of our country. It’s a powerful reminder of something that is so important to Gilchrist.”
Vardyce the artist has done many murals around the city, from a street mural honoring a founding leader of the Bond community to a large mural on FAMU’s campus highlighting student organizations. He said creating this one alongside the students of Gilchrist Elementary, community members, and VyStar volunteers was an unforgettable experience.
“Together, we poured our gratitude and respect into every brushstroke, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of the Veterans who have served our country” he said. “This beautiful mural stands as a symbol of unity, respect, and shared appreciation for our heroes, a testament to the power of art in bringing people together for a meaningful cause.”
For more information about the mural and other 2024 KCCI Community Catalyst class projects including Placemaking Week, visit https://kccitallahassee.com/project/2024-placemaking-week/.
For more information about Vardyce Gaines, visit https://kccitallahassee.com.
For more information about Gllchrist Elementary School, visit www.leonschools.net/gilchrist
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About KCCI
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, David Powell and Vicki Webber, Marjorie Turnbull, Serena and Jon Moyle, Target Print & Copy, Tharpe Construction, Dr. Cory Couch at CWD Dental Group, and Charlie Johnson.
About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with over 79 branches and is now 1,000,000 members with assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,200 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.