The WORD chosen for the Power of Words Project (POWP) mural will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 31st at 6:00 PM during the Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours in Gladstone.
The Media and community members are invited to attend the presentation. The Power of Words Project was established by renowned artist Mia Tavonatti, a native of Iron Mountain, and her Svelata Foundation in an effort to have public art inspire growth and focus in a community. Tavonatti has won ArtPrize consecutively in 2010 and 2011.
The Gladstone mural will be located on the west side wall of the Rialto Center and it is one of three murals being created in 2019, along with Manistique and Marquette. Currently, the wall is being prepped for Tavonatti to start in August of the year.
As explained by the artist, these words chosen for the murals serve as seeds that define and inspire growth and focus for the community. Mia’s professional mural team then works side by side with local artists and scholarship students to create murals inspired by each community’s chosen WORD. In addition to revitalizing communities with monumental works of public art and enabling local creatives, the POWP seeks to inspire a sense of ownership by engaging these communities and creating a tapestry of conversation which will lead to a greater understanding of and appreciation for the Arts and its value to society.
This mural was made possible with an Artplace grant through CUPPAD, an MEDC Public Spaces for Community Places grant, and the generosity of our sponsors Svelata Foundation, Water’s Edge Chiropractic, VanAire, Visit Escanaba and Thrivent Financial. The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority Board approved a façade grant that allowed the preparation of the wall.
The community is encouraged to participate in this project by: donating to the project or sponsoring a meal for the artists.
For donations to the Project or volunteering please contact: Mia Tavonatti by email miatav@yahoo.com
To sponsor a meal for the artist during their stay in Gladstone: Contact Loran Benson 906 428 2261
To learn more about the Power of Words Project go to powerofwordsproject.org
