Diversity Mural
ORLANDO
Location of the mural
It's on the South side of Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails. Only a 4 minute walk from Luna Mosaic Arts.
1336 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
HOW IT ALL BEGAN!!
Jennifer Kuhns leads a weekly mosaic program for at-risk teens in a rural town in Washington State (USA) and in January 2017, she launched a mural project for the side of the high school. They made mosaic hearts in class and with the community all year. The most wonderful aspect of this project has been that mosaic artists and students around the world have also sent hearts for the mural!
The design developed as a response to the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, FL as a way to send support and love to those who suffer from discrimination and hatred. After the presidential election, the message felt even more urgent, and more broad. We feel this message extends to all who are persecuted for being outside of the mainstream. It is a giant, visual love note to the world, and a way for participants (heart-makers) to express support for and alliance with disenfranchised people.
Beginning of Orlando Diversity Mural
In 2018, Jennifer Kuhns contacted me and proposed the idea of creating a Diversity Mural somewhere in Orlando. I thought it was a great idea! I went driving around looking for potential walls. Turns out there was a nice LARGE blank wall walking distance from my studio. I contacted the owner of the building, submitted the permits and we were ready to announce it to the mosaic universe.
First Version
We put out a call to mosaic artists all over the world to send hearts to be part of the mural. The only requirement was that you kept it mostly one color. You could decorate any way you wanted to. The hearts started pouring in! We were near the initial deadline and were around 800 hearts. I said, let’s extend the deadline till we get 1000. A couple months later we received just a little over 1000.
We put calls out to help with grouting and installing. I probably had over 50 volunteers throughout the whole project. People would be walking by the mural and want to help. We even had Commissioner Patty Sheehan make a heart and help with grouting. Laticrete International was very generous and donated all the materials to grout and install the entire mural. They even sent us custom colorant to add to the grout, so we could grout every heart with it’s matching grout color!
Final version
In the summer of 2020, the building was sold. I was a little nervous about what might happen to the mural. There has been a lot of changes in the neighborhood. Buildings being bought and torn down. New places renovating. I get an email from the new tenants, letting me know what their plans are for the building. They let me know they were going to cut large holes into the mural. My heart sank. When you do public art you always have to remember that it might not always stay there.
Good news was they wanted to expand the mural. They got the City of Orlando to pay for the mural expansion. In 2023, we put out a call to artists again. It was nice because everyone who had wanted to make a heart the first time but couldn't - got the opportunity to make one now. I held 2 private workshops for Mills 50 District (the neighborhood the mural is located in) where they could invite who they wanted to come make a heart to be part of the mural. Joanne Grant, the Executive Director of Mills 50, invited Mayor Buddy Dyer and his wife, Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Allex Englett, the Executive Director of Ivanhoe Village(the neighborhood my studio is in) invited Commissioner Robert F. Stuart and his wife, along a group of other people.
Installation
I received over 700 hearts for the second addition. My favorite part is opening every box to see what each person has created. I had a bunch of volunteers come out to help grout and install every single heart! Laticrete was very generous again and supplied all the grout and thinset! The new business decided to paint the whole building black! I decided to paint to some wispy white areas coming off the original white grout. And then I added some hearts on the black area too. I really like how the cloud of hearts stands out on the wall now!! AND it's fills the wall much better now. While we were out there we, fix any of the hearts that were missing pieces and refreshed the white grout. This way you really couldn't tell where the added section began.
As sad as it was to have 2 giant holes cut into the mural, it was really nice to get to work on a community art mural again.
A huge
THANK YOU!!!
To all the people that sent in hearts and volunteered with the installation.
The list below is of everyone who sent in hearts and their locations
United States
Alabama
Carolyn Wagner
Susan Walden Susan Walden Mosaics
Alaska
Barbara Sheinberg
Arizona
Gillian Allard
Denise Bavier Di Mosaico
George Bavier Di Mosaico
Debbie Black Bloom Elementary School -
5th Grade Students
Amy Janetsky
Trudy Nowak
Karen Peppeard Bloom Elementary School - 5th Grade Students
DeeRuff
Donna Van Hooser
California
Willa Amorelli
Adina Beaumont
Lisa BooksteinLisa Brookstein Studio 64
Sandi Burt
Barbara Bussler Black Bear Mosaics
Ilse Cordoni
SusanCrocenzi
Denise Davidson Monterey Street Design
Elaine D'Sa
Teena Dunn
April Fernandez
Robin Friedman
Elizabeth Grindon
Yolanda Gutierrez
Fran Halpedin Studio 64
Denise Hazletan
Kimberly Johnson
Lynn Jones
Glynnis Kaye Studio G
Jacque Keller
Marlo Klorfein Studio 64
Mary Land Studio 64
Gail Lester
April Maiten April Arts
Dianna Maximova Zoe Mosaics
Hannah Maximova Zoe Mosaics
Constance Mayer
Sheila Merle Johnson
Lisa Million
Nancy Okun Mosaics by Nancy
Anne Marie Price
Bonnie Pybus
Ginny Sher
Jill Thomas
Cate Thomassen
Nathanlie Valette
WesleyWong
Sue Yeros Studio 64
Colorado
Margaret Boeneke
Anita Garelick
Lauren Hansen
Debbie Karp Juretus
Susan Morgan
Seth Ready Ready Set Tile & Mosaic
Flair Robinson Flair Robinson Studio
Margaret Seron
Barb Shike Arne
Susan Wechsler Mosaics by Susan
Connecticut
Deb Aldo
Ree Maier ReeCreation
Mosaics
Delaware
Carol Rydel
SusanAllen
Florida
Louis Ammirato
Carolina Arboleda
Olivia Ariaudo
Virginia Arnold Another Turn Studio
AmyArnold
Karen Babb
Carole Ballard
Jennifer Bevan Jennifer Bevan Designs
Cherie Bosela Luna Mosaic Arts
Mike Bosela
Joyce Bosela
Anne Briggs
Shirlie Broach
Elen Burr
Alicia Cano
Rebecca Carter
Glenda Chamberlain
Diane Concepcion Pelican Central Mosaic Arts
Candace Cooke
SuzanneDemeules
KathyDerios
Julian DiDonato
Feresita A Diebley
Jeanette Dixon
Lee Dixon
Jeff Dry
Kitty Drew
Karma Duff
Lisa Dunlop
LuisDutra
Mayor Buddy Dyer
Susie Dyer
Alex Englett
Heidi Enneking
Susan Fallows
Debra Fillingim
Jo Foringer
Jack B. Fowler
Donna Fox
Sandra Groeneveld
Susan Gillespie
Cheri Glover
Nina Glover
Susan Goldberg
Chrissie Grace
Sherri Graham
Jacki Gran
Joanne Grant
Dee Green
Julie Green
Rodd Griffey
Debbie Harte
Audrey Hayes
Misty Heath
Chris Hughes
Treena Kaye
Lyn Keil
Jason Kelly
Kathy Kittell
Lindsey Korfmacher
Gerri Kostinko
Denise Lennon
Mickey Leonard
Randie Levine
Valerie Marozzi
Wendy Mayer
Anita McHugh
Mary McKinney
Abagail Moore
Carla Moore
Barbara Nowick
Janis Nunez
Carolina Oms
Cathy Parios
Maria Peak
Michelle Petno
Shirle Pfister
Kim Porter
Harry Powell
Jeannette Purks
Patrice Ragusa
Gila Rayberg Gila Mosaic Studio
Susan Reinhardt Susan Reinhardt Design
Loni Richards
Lulu Rivera
Paula Roller Irion
Karen Shea
Commissioner Patty Sheehan
Julie Simon
Chloe Skraban
Tina Skraban
Emily Smith MosaicSmith
Linda Smith MosaicSmith
Suzanne Smith MosaicSmith
Nancy Smith
Cindy Spechler
Greg Stock
Commissioner Robert Stuart
Ann Stuart
Susan Sullivan
UNITED STATES
Florida
Lisa Sullivan Dunlop
Suzette Swallow
Cindy Tremaine Moonstar Glass & Sun
Mosiacs
Lee Turicchi
Carol Vierima
Katie Waller
Brandi Whitewolf
Tricia Woodstock
Renee Wulf
Sharon Wyant
GEORGIA
Debra Mager
Karen Sasine Rainbow Mosaics/Mosaic Mentoring
Amy Burrus Nippin & Sippin Studio
Carolyn Dorn Nippin & Sippin Studio
Tina Goldsmith Nippin & Sippin Studio
Karen Maddox Nippin & Sippin Studio
Toni O'Quinn Nippin & Sippin Studio
Stormi Strickland Nippin & Sippin Studio
Charleen Tinley Nippin & Sippin Studio
Katherine Vallance Nippin & Sippin Studio
Sylvia Vasquez Nippin & Sippin Studio
Felicia Zimmerman Nippin & Sippin Studio
HAWAII
Maria Macias
Idaho
Kat Dellamater Rocky Canyon Tileworks
Harry Dellamater Rocky Canyon Tileworks
Illinois
Carol Boruta
Kimberley Immenhausen Kelly KLK's/Garden
Dwellings
Amy Rendziak
Indiana
Houk
Iowa
Jennifer Avari Ben’s Bells Project
Louisana
Sandra Cyr
Maine
Candace M. Jackman
Brigit McCallum
Agnes Robinson
Maryland
Leslie Fuquinay Miller
Marybeth Ganssle
Katie McMurry
Natalie McMurry
Leslie Miller
Ali Mirsky Mirsky Studio
Massachusetts
Susan Adler
Kim Alexander
Sharon Bachner
Su Bailey
Lee Berman Lee Berman Mosaics
Louise Bishop Bishop's Broken Bits
Cheryl Cohen Cheryl Cohen Mosaic Art
Center
Karen Edlund
Mary Fierman Breakout Gallery
Laurie Frazer
Laurie Gengarelly
Karla Harrington
Carol Hemsley
Kim Kassner
Carol Krentzman
Suska Matsik
Gena Porter
Erika Robbins
Jane Snedeker
Theresa Snopkowski
Karin vander Schaaf
Carol Hemsley
Michigan
Shonda Adams
Shawn DuBois Shawn DuBois Art
Sue Majewski
Anne Murphy
Lin Schorr Lin Schorr Mosaics
Joan Schwartz
Renee Spears
Minnesota
Val Bolen
Jay Gaynor Lifeworks.org
Layne Lastine Lifeworks.org
Jamie Orndorff Lifeworks.org
Deb Pickle Lifeworks.org
Laura Quist-Knox Lifeworks.org
Elizabeth Rockstad Studio 4:13
Mosaics
Sandy Sanders Lifeworks.org
Montana
Donna DaCosta Mosaics by Donna
Nebraska
Carrie Strope Calyxs Glass
Heather Swartz Architectural Glass Art
Nevada
Laurie Rogers
New Hampshire
Lisa Tsiopras Magnolia Mosaics
New Jersey
Teresita Doebley
Lynda Donovan
Michele Mesisca
L. Mikita
Jackie Stack Lagakos
New York
Linda Biggers
Martine Byer
Pat EllisGayle Fadel
Kathleen Gerlach
Gabriella Grama
Libby Hintz
Patti Miskell Divaiginals
Cheryl Norton
Eileen W. Palmer
Linda Purrazzela Hampton Mosaics
Melissa Shampine
Alex Story
Wendy Whitman Reich Don’t Tell Stella Studio
Women Sharing Art
North Carolina
Kathy Alpert
Jennifer Barker Bathmatic Custom Tile & Showroom
Jeremy Barker
Sandra Belmont Reckless Abandon Mosaic Art
Pamela Goode
LeeAnn Petropovlos
Minerva Ramirez Mosaics by Mima
Debbie Sullivan Mystical Reflections Stained Glass
Lee-Ann Taylor
Ohio
Lori Kay Fair LKF Designs
Fitton Center for the Creative Arts
Queen City Mosaic Artists
Oklahoma
Tina Goldsmith Nippin and Sippin Studio
Alice Newcomer Nippin and Sippin Studio
Monica Poore Nippin and Sippin Studio
Cindy Swanson
Oregon
Cindy Clair
Joanne Daschel
Chris Emmert
Robin Freidman Robin's Mosaics
Karel Murphy Karel Murphy Designs
Kathy Pennington
Cathy Schwab
Pennsylvania
Robyn Abrams Robyn Abrams Mosaics
Susan Adler
Jack M. Barrack
Linda Billet
Alissa Blumenthal
Suzanne Daub
Jenifer Eyre
Laurie Gengarelly
Carol Hemsley
UNITED STATES
Pennsylvania
Robin Klink
Vildan Lench
StevoMosaics
Linda Rosenbloom
Helene Rosenfeldt
Carol Shelkin
Bonita Skylar
Janet Starwood
Laura Lyn Stern
Susan Sweeney
Cindy White Art by Earthmother Mosaics
Puerto Rico
Liz Bosques Rodriguez Western Glass & Mosaics
Jeanette Cruz Western Glass & Mosaics
Elba Galicia
Diana Miranda Piece by Piece Mosaics
Mary Monagas Western Glass & Mosaics
Clarybel Nunez Luna
South Carolina
Simone Esquibel
MaryAnn Everett Rivera Arts
Donna Mayeur
Laura McGregor
Lynn Monet Bevino
Tennessee
Karyn Dambach
Linda Rader
Cindy Sbrissa Mystic Mosaic Studio
Texas
Cricket Abby Houston Mosaic Group
Austin Mosiac Guild
Cyndi Barnes A Creative Venture
Mary Beans
Christine Bible
Isabella Binford
Lisa Bonin Bonin Glass Designs
Joolie Bracken
Jennifer Breneman Houston Mosaic Group
Terry Carvajal Austin Mosaic Guild
Jill Chapin
Becky Clontz
Rebecca Collins
Susan Curry Houston Mosaic Group
Joetta Curry
Cynthia Day
Diane Dickey
Katrina Doran Doran Studio
Cheryl Flewharty
Marla Franz
Stacey Gascon Glass Abounds - Houston Mosaic Group
Christine Gentle Margiotta
Chris Guest
Pam Harmatiuk
Floy Height
Sandy Horwitz
Joan Hudson Creative Arts Center
Debbie Immel
Lisa Jackson Houston Mosaic Group
Karen Kobylus
Honey LeMay
Dorothy Metting
Karen Miller
Pauline Mills Glassvalley Art Studios
Wanda Montemayor Students @ O'Henry Middle School
Carol Nemir
Christy Nisbett
Sharon Plummer
Carla Pond Houston Mosaic Group
Jim Price
Maria Price
Isabella Pzinford
Susana Rangel
Christina Sanchez-Holden
Consuelo Sierra
Ellen Singer Austin Mosaic Guild
Dianne Sonnenberg Dianne Sonnenberg
Mosaics
Sandra Sykora Ross
Clarie Terrell
Marguerite Trail Houston Mosaic Group
Julie Vick
Virginia
Betty Ackerman
Crane & Clover Retreat
Mary Fierman
Bonnie Fitzgerald
Mary Gidzinski
Jill Mendelson
Victoria Rapak
Julie Smith
Washington
Kelly Brannock
Kelly Christal
Richard Davis
Kristi Giesman
Grit City Mosaics
Carolyn Hoebelheinrich
Louise Hull
Christina Loro-Hunter
Jennifer Kuhns
Donna Rae McIntosh Mad Hatter Mosaics
Chrissie Miller
Tina Moreschi
Yuka Mullen
Jennifer Neal
Deborah Nordstrom
Lola Ridgley-Wagor
Joyce Singleton
Sue Springer
Crystal Thomas
Teresa White
Wisconsin
Laurie Agard
Pam Bean
Jane Callewaert Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works Inc
Lee Callewaert Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works Inc
Maria Meyer Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works Inc
Kim Wozniak
Frances Canter
Janine Lawton
Lisa Million
Wendy Reich
Edd Samuelson
Australia
Dorothy Burke
Sharon Pech
South Australia
Cecile Dutroix The Studio Crafters
Zara Parent The Studio Crafters
Robby Towill
Brazil
Carolina Kawall
Carol Space
Canada
Cecilia Barboza
Angele Blasutti Angele's Mosaic Studio
Patrizia Brasch
Christine Hume Christine Hume Mosaics
Laurie Rogers Jelly Bean Toes Mosaics
Heathe Vollans
England
Sonya Conway Rebel-rose-artist
Allison Hepburn
Bex Hewitt Sunny Mind Mosaics
Debra Tracey IsleBe Creative & Students
Alison Turner Alison Turner Mosaics
Netherlands
Melanie van Eldik
France
Marielle Florio
Ireland
Valerie Dunn
Israel
Ronit Strum
Mexico
Consuelo Sierra
Scotland
Rachel Davies
A look back
at the whole process