Artists/Partners:
Vivian Fisk, Artist, and owner of Bay to Bay Arts LLC
Bryant Martinez, Artist and Veteran – Art Bear Inc
Pierre and Cathy Dutertre, United Photographic Artists Gallery
Valiente Tile CORP – Tile installation
Kenstruction Dynamics, Inc – Frame installation
Year: 2024
Location: Harvest Hope Park – 13704 North 20th Street, Tampa, FL 33613

Art Concept: To create an art placemaking structure/mural at Harvest Hope Park, which consists of several 6-inch tiles created by Prodigy youths and veterans. The tiles will be inspired by dialog between Veterans and youth in regard to the military and what it means to be a Veteran. The idea of writing & receiving letters to the military has changed throughout the years. These tiles will be in essence an expression, or a reflection of what one would like to say about being a veteran (as told by veterans) or to a veteran (as told by youth). The images created may be paintings, or photographic imagery recreated on tiles that will be grouted in a large metal frame that will be placed in the ground at Harvest Hope Park. This exchange of communication educates youth and encourages veterans.

About: In In the beginning, the youth received an understanding of the importance of this project. Next the youth were asked to create a specific image of the various branches of the armed forces using insignias. Many discussions took place with the youth about what it meant to be a veteran and how to honor them in their service and sacrifice. This understanding helped the youth with the creative outcome of the final images. The youth used cameras to create digital images which were then put through a sublimation process to be placed onto individual tiles.

In working with the veterans directly, time was spent in discussions, allowing them to express their thoughts about what it meant to be a veteran and how they would want to share these thoughts with others, especially with the youth. The approach to making the individual images supported their time in service through either words or images which were then produced onto the tiles through the sublimation process.

Tampa 1 and Prodigy Moves youth painted 6×6 ceramic tiles for the Tile Mural. To begin this process the classes had discussions guided by their instructor Vivian Fisk. These discussions covered what it means to serve in the military, who are in the military, and what is their role is in our community. Students learned about the different branches of the military, that women also serve, and where they serve. They were also informed that many times people who serve are away from their families for long periods of time and that some don’t make it back. Students envisioned what it would be like to walk in a Veterans’ shoes, how they may have felt serving and then were asked to create artwork as if they were sending a Veteran a letter that would cheer them up, inspire them, give thanks and honor for their service. The class discussed what you need to serve, such as bravery, courage and hope. Some students added these words to their tiles. Students drew on the tiles with ceramic glaze pencils and then painted them in with glaze paints. After the tiles were fired they could see the change of the appearance of the glaze paint that would reveal the true color of their artwork. Students were very interested in the role the military plays in society and were able to hear Veterans speak about their past.