Westport Community Mosaic Mural
Donation protected
In December 2019, in collaboration with Michelle Beaugrande and Stitches by the Beach (a quilt shop with a crafting classroom), this participatory mural project was launched. Michelle rallied Westport's downtown community and got all of the permissions needed from city officials. I facilitated two community mosaic events where squares were made based on traditional quilt designs (with some freestyle squares.)
I then created the center panel as a Mariner's Compass and the whole design is based on a nautical theme with beach elements, all to celebrate the city of Westport, Washington. Through sponsorships and some donations, we raised $2500. My initial request for the cost of this 5' x 7' mural was $7000, and local businesses had planned a spring fundraiser with live music, food and drink.
As you know, this had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. During the quarantine, I continued to make slow progress on the mural, and a few volunteers stepped up and complete several of the squares from home.
I decided to discount the cost by $2000, reducing the final fundraising goal to $2500.
It is very hard to ask people for money when so many are suffering and struggling in the world. But, here's why I wanted to create a mural for Westport:
When calls for art go out in my state (and most places) that are funded by grants and organizations, they go strictly to those areas with larger populations and resources. Small towns and rural areas do not receive public art funding. Artists who reside in these areas are usually not eligible to submit for these opportunities. Public art uplifts towns, improving quality of life and brightening up common areas. Westport is such a town; small and rural, far from Seattle, Tacoma or even Olympia. Most of the year, tourism is very slow, and local businesses rely on visitors to survive. Creating a mural by and for the community seemed like a great way to add public art to Westport on a very tight budget, and it will be art that they feel extra pride and ownership of because they helped to create it.
As you can see, we met our goal through this Go Fund Me and the mural is completed. Installation is scheduled for October 16 with an unveiling on the 17th at 2pm. I want to thank Liz and Mike Coverdale, owners of the building, for being the biggest funders of this project, then taking the reins on the installation and plaque. I can't thank them enough!
So, this fundraiser is now over, but I'm keeping the page open for a little while until the unveiling is over to make sure everyone who contributed gets a chance to see the final project after installation. Thank you so much, everyone!!
*Note: this began as a fund for my community mosaic work in general. After I complete this project, I am unlikely to continue pursuing these types of projects. I will gladly facilitate community projects that have established funding already.
Thank you and stay safe!
I then created the center panel as a Mariner's Compass and the whole design is based on a nautical theme with beach elements, all to celebrate the city of Westport, Washington. Through sponsorships and some donations, we raised $2500. My initial request for the cost of this 5' x 7' mural was $7000, and local businesses had planned a spring fundraiser with live music, food and drink.
As you know, this had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. During the quarantine, I continued to make slow progress on the mural, and a few volunteers stepped up and complete several of the squares from home.
I decided to discount the cost by $2000, reducing the final fundraising goal to $2500.
It is very hard to ask people for money when so many are suffering and struggling in the world. But, here's why I wanted to create a mural for Westport:
When calls for art go out in my state (and most places) that are funded by grants and organizations, they go strictly to those areas with larger populations and resources. Small towns and rural areas do not receive public art funding. Artists who reside in these areas are usually not eligible to submit for these opportunities. Public art uplifts towns, improving quality of life and brightening up common areas. Westport is such a town; small and rural, far from Seattle, Tacoma or even Olympia. Most of the year, tourism is very slow, and local businesses rely on visitors to survive. Creating a mural by and for the community seemed like a great way to add public art to Westport on a very tight budget, and it will be art that they feel extra pride and ownership of because they helped to create it.
As you can see, we met our goal through this Go Fund Me and the mural is completed. Installation is scheduled for October 16 with an unveiling on the 17th at 2pm. I want to thank Liz and Mike Coverdale, owners of the building, for being the biggest funders of this project, then taking the reins on the installation and plaque. I can't thank them enough!
So, this fundraiser is now over, but I'm keeping the page open for a little while until the unveiling is over to make sure everyone who contributed gets a chance to see the final project after installation. Thank you so much, everyone!!
*Note: this began as a fund for my community mosaic work in general. After I complete this project, I am unlikely to continue pursuing these types of projects. I will gladly facilitate community projects that have established funding already.
Thank you and stay safe!
Organizer
Jennifer Kuhns
Organizer
Elma, WA