After the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, I had this idea to create a mural made of hearts that form a rainbow – with the hearts being made by anyone wanting to express their condolences, love, grief, support and solidarity for and with marginalized groups who are targeted by hatred and violence.
Initially, I took the concept to at-risk teens that I worked with on Fridays in Shelton, WA for the past 5 years. We engaged community during public events, made hearts in class and, through social media, people started sending us hearts from all over the U.S., plus Canada, Scotland and Australia! That mural is nearly completed, as of September, 2018. (Find info on another post on my event page.)
After the first anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Cherie Bosela and I started brainstorming a second version of the mural for Orlando. Cherie is a fantastic mosaic artist and owner of Luna Mosaic Arts in Orlando, FL. This version of the mural is more ambitious and is ready to install. Mosaic artists all over the world have been sending hearts (over 850!) and more are on the way. The location is on the Lamp Shade Fair building in Orlando, a prominent wall in a high-traffic and pedestrian-friendly area of Orlando. It will be a selfie-spot, with the silhouetted figure in a position such that people can pose in front of it and “be” the figure blowing kisses.
We have a Go Fund Me campaign and have been receiving generous donations. Anything we don’t spend on the mural installation will be donated to The Center in Orlando, a gathering place for the LGBTQIA community.
Please consider contributing to our fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/DiversityMural
*Even small donations are very welcome, as every little bit helps! There is no commissioning agent or budget for this project. Our goal is small: $5000, and we are getting pretty close! But the project is also far bigger than we anticipated, and our new goal is 1000 hearts. The public dedication will be on September 21, though installation will continue until all of the hearts have been received and incorporated.
You can also follow our facebook page for this project, and see the hearts that have been coming in and the volunteers prepping them for installation, at https://www.facebook.com/DiversityMuralOrlando
Please help to spread the word by sharing the above links.
This is a painted “placeholder” for the mural, to show visitors what is in progress and to offer info.
