OUR APPROACH: Participatory Design
TLC Art Collective’s approach to public art is intrinsically community-focused. We make it a priority to engage community members in our design process, inviting direct input and participation in the creation of our work.
Examples of how we have involved community members in our process include: organizing creative brainstorming sessions, developing paint-by-number murals, working with community-collected materials, and sparking conversation through our art pieces.
CREATIVE BRAINSTORMING
Each project begins with ideation. This can be an ideal time to open up the creative process to input. Methods such as public forums, facilitated outreach events, open polls, or specific voting on predetermined design options may strengthen relationships with community members from the very beginning of a project, generating excitement and participation early on.
PAINT BY NUMBER
Just like the paint-by-number activities you may recall from your childhood, TLC uses this technique to facilitate group mural-painting on a large scale. Murals are broken into sections, each assigned to a different color for a simplified way everyone, including those with no painting experience, can participate. Under our leadership, a community may collaboratively design and paint beautiful murals they feel proud of.
COMMUNITY-COLLECTED MATERIALS
Through our commitment to waste-conscious material use, TLC often uses recycled, re-used, or upcycled materials. When certain materials are brought together to construct an artwork, they may take on new or deeper meaning.
Examples include: CD and DVD discs, artificial turf, and discarded materials such as ceramic, glass, or mirror for use in mosaics.
COLLABORATIVE OUTREACH EVENTS
Teamwork makes the dream work. TLC loves to plan events and gatherings (virtual or in-person) that enable collaboration, dialogue, and community interaction.
Examples include: outreach events, participatory art-making (such as mural painting or sculpture assembly), public forums, and end-of-project celebrations.
PLACE-MAKING
Our works build upon a location’s history by examining the space’s use, and inviting community participation. We strive to enhance the existing culture and identity of places through public art.
SPARKING CONVERSATION
Not all viewers of our work will have the opportunity to participate in the creative process. Through the exhibition of our built works, we strive to initiate dialogue among our viewers, foster creative learning environments, and inspire advocacy of social and environmental issues.
Our mission is to promote a world where individuals are empowered to contribute to solutions and enact change.
