The Hope Mural
Photos by Madison Raye
In its ever expanding vision for artists, Imagine Art showcases how art can be intertwined with just about anything imaginable. How planning, community organization and diligence are the keys to success. In the case of The Hope Mural project at Garden Terrace in South Austin, a great deal of patience was also required.
Because of the pandemic, things took a really long time to come together. This allowed the parties involved the opportunity to reassess their goals, devise better plans and delve deeper into their partnerships.
Garden Terrace, at William Cannon and Emerald Forest, opened in October 2003 as the first “supportive housing” facility in Austin. It is now one of Foundation Communities’ many affordable housing developments. Over the past three years, even before COVID, this vibrant community has seen some tough times.
How the Mural Came to Be
Sadly, in 2019 there were six resident deaths, and that was before covid. The folks of Garden Terrace saw the need to recognize those friends and neighbors who had passed. So, with a grant from NeighborWorks’ Community Leadership Institute and the guidance of Austin Creative Alliance, they started having town halls and began planning their mural.
The mural is on two 4x8 panels and painted with quality house paint. Rich in colorful detail, the design is the creation of AmeriCorps/Imagine Art artist-in-residence Bryana Iglesias. Who (along with her assistant Tiara Kennebrew, artists from Imagine Art, and volunteer residents and staff of Garden Terrace) helped make the mural a reality.
To complete the mural, workshops were held on March 11 and 18 from 11-2 p.m. The project was ultimately a collaboration among three nonprofits: Art-a-Gough-Go, Imagine Art and Foundation Communities.
John Molina in his Element
With his light-hearted banter and valuable insights, this Imagine Art artist was the entertainer.
The Story Behind The Hope Mural at Garden Terrace
(At the March 11 workshop, Foundation Communities’ Arts and Culture Coordinator Olivia Jimenez recalled how the ideas for the mural got started.)
We got the grant to do the mural before COVID was even a thing. The impetus behind it was that there had been a number of resident deaths at Garden Terrace. It was a rash of bad luck and bad timing. The community was really feeling that hit, so they wanted to create a mural that could serve as a memorial for those folks and a place of celebrating their lives and remembering them.
The project was postponed multiple times due to COVID, staff turnover, and difficulty securing an arts partner to support the mural. COVID became a more poignant reason for painting a mural. Imagine Art turned out to be a great fit as a community partner.
This Fall, the plan was revamped and we resumed resident engagement. By the time we had the most recent town hall, residents had already had some meetings about themes and symbols, and sort of the mood of the piece. The shift became one of . . . yes, we think that it is important to remember these folks, but what we really want this mural to be is a celebration of life here, a celebration of what it's like to live at Garden Terrace.
We don't want it to be sad or morbid because we've had enough of that. The content of this mural moved away from that sort of a memorial feel, to really being very vibrant, and as you can see, very celebratory.
We will integrate that memorial piece as more of an installation, once we have it up. We are going to do river rocks, river stones, that people can paint or write the names of somebody they want to remember. You can physically hold that stone while you think about them, so you have something a little bit tactile while you are having that experience.
I hope that at the very least, everyone who wants to participate feels like they can. And then even if they haven’t participated in the making of the mural that it will be a space that is welcoming to everyone. Where everyone feels like they can enjoy the space in whatever way is best for them.
I am so excited that this is finally happening. It's been such a long time coming, nearly three years from the time we got the grant in the fall of 2019. It's been really exciting seeing people getting engaged and hearing them talking about it.
Jubilant residents on finally seeing the mural on Saturday, March 25th.
Sandwiches and Songs
Saturday, March 25, 2022
Saturday was a gorgeous spring day. In preparation for the unveiling ceremony and reception at Garden Terrace, AmeriCorps members set up tables and chairs in the spacious live oak garden. All around the grassy courtyard they tied down bunches of purple, green and white helium filled balloons. Sandwiches, chips, and salad were provided by Schlotzsky's for around 50 guests.
Musical trio, James Lindsey, Eden Gallegos and Miles Kersten arrived before 1p.m. to setup for their acoustic set, scheduled for after the unveiling. The lunch line grew quickly and soon folks began sitting around the tables, eating and enjoying themselves while waiting to see the mural. Most guests were Garden Terrace residents, whom the mural is honoring.
The Unveiling
The time had arrived for the unveiling. Organizers of the project presented themselves beside the mural (covered-up with black cloth) and called for everyone to gather ‘round. Bryana Iglesias, Olivia Jimenez, Tiara Kennebrew and Rick Hernandez stood before the crowd of guests.
Olivia spoke of the nearly three year journey to bring the mural to this point and of the many delays while looking for the right partners to finish the mural. When she met a talented, hardworking AmeriCorps, Art-a-Gogh-Go director and Imagine Art artist-in-residence – Bryana Iglesias – her search was over. Realizing how good a fit it was, the organizations all agreed to partner with Foundation Communities to get the job done once and for all.
After the residents shared some anecdotes, the black covers were lifted and the stunning images of the mural appeared: hearts, clouds & stratosphere, wildflowers, Lady Bird Lake with the Austin skyline, the Garden Terrace complex and its residents. A bluish feature shooting off from the Foundation Communities logo, in what Bryana described as “dragon energy”, twists and spreads throughout both panels.
Tiara and Bryana hold the drapes that covered the mural, while Olivia is awestruck.
The final act was to have all who painted on the mural sign the back of the panels. Painters included staff and residents of Garden Terrace. Also participating were John Molina, Erin Rosales, Anna Rosales, Vic Martinez, Madison Bennett, Olivia Jiménez, Tiara Kennebrew, Bryana Iglesias, Larry Yanez, and Lisa Costigan. Construction volunteers who helped erect the panels were Wyatt Burkhalter, Randall Kirsten, and Gabe Maroney.
Let the Celebration Continue
The music started up with James and Eden harmonizing on a lively copy of Home, a popular tune by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Miles also helped out on a jam. They ended their six song set with Eden singing an inspired version of John Lennon’s Imagine.
The impromptu stage offered a gazebo view. Some audience members sang along.
By around 3 o’clock, AmeriCorps members began breaking down what they had set-up. Re-enforcements had arrived by then, so it went quickly.
It was a memorable event made more so by its impact on a seemingly small group of folks, but with a link to the much larger Foundations Community. The Hope Mural was all about the Garden Terrace residents and symbolizes their hope for the future. The coordinated efforts of nonprofits to achieve a common goal proved, once again, that it can be done and is done all the time.
It’s always great when a plan comes together! Bryana posing with her design.
Photos credit: Madison Raye
