In our latest urban project, ECOTONE World sets out to bring beautification to various garden green spaces benefiting Houston communities.
“Every garden has its own atmosphere, shape and charm, made considerably better by the presence of art! Community gardens should reflect culture and the aspirations of the people tending them. “Green space” has an impact on everyone, including the casual on-looker who has an opportunity to observe the space through public displays; views of abundant harvests, and/or a vibrant stimulation of wildlife (birds, bees, butterflies and such).” Since the days of “pandemic lock-down” when the whole world experienced isolation, fear and trauma, there was a natural inclination to turn to Mother Nature. It was kind of like opening and closing our eyes. Adopting a reverence for time to actually bask in the sun, or deeply breathe in less polluted air came easy. Even animals blurred the lines of established boundaries and roamed freely on what was natural to them — green space! In an unprecedented way we were introduced to the value of self-care to include gardening and deliberate mental health routines (yoga, writing, sewing and such). We were desperate to “calm our nerves” and bring about some sense of normalcy and regain control. And we gardeners rounded our emotions by putting our hands in the dirt; planting seeds and endeavoring to create hand-made beauty in our surroundings.
The “Urban Garden Experience” [“UGE”] presents an opportunity to engage an inter-generational swath of community folks in the beautification of community green space. The intended outcome is to enliven a “spirit of community through the activation of art, color and culturally based imaging.
Our first “UGE” target green space is a backdrop of the Courtyard at the Third Ward Multi Service Center, located at 3611 Ennis St., Houston, TX 77004. ECOTONE World moves forward in 2024 to complete our “Urban Garden Experience” mosaic mural project to artistically impact the visual aesthetic of a courtyard area where Seniors receive daily meals and engage in other social activities.
In these “First, Second and Third Rounds,”of curating the mural we EDUCATE, CULTIVATE and ACTIVATE summer camp students of Shape Community Center; students from Spectrum Arts NOLA and students from Energy Institute High School. It should be noted that Shape Community Center alongside Community Artists’ Collective have been Community Partners of Chef Tarsha and ECOTONE World for many years.
3rd Round: Students from Energy Institute High School in Third Ward (Winter 2023)
2nd Round: Students Touring from Spectrum Arts NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) (Fall 2023)
1st Round: Summer Camp Students of S.H.A.P.E. Community Center (Summer 2023)
