Raasin in the Sun, Huston-Tillotson University, and the Mural Arts Philadelphia Announce the Environmental Justice Mural Unveiling and Celebration
Wednesday Apr, 19 2023
AUSTIN, Texas – 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Dickey-Lawless Building on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University, Raasin in the Sun in collaboration with Huston-Tillotson University, and Mural Arts Philadelphia, is hosting the unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony for “Harvesting Hope” by Candy Kuo to kick off the Earth Day Austin 2023 celebration. Building upon the efforts of artists and activists stewarding environmental justice across the country through the Arts and Environmental Justice Capacity Building Initiative*, this partnership brought together conversations, mosaic workshops in collaboration with The Mosaic Workshop ATX , and film screenings that highlighted transformative cultural practices and participatory public art that shift ecological, political, and social experiences of front-line communities.
In times like these, the essential roles that artists and cultural workers play in communities have become clearer by helping us to heal, helping us stay connected and reimagining better futures together. President and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, Dr. Melva K. Williams shares, “We are truly honored to have this very powerful and moving mural grace one of our campus buildings. It represents the vitality and vibrancy of our campus and local communities, as well as the power and magic of African-American women. I applaud the artists who designed and painted it – it is an awesome display of creativity and expertise.”
For more information and to register for this event, visit: Raasin in the Sun.
About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the oldest institution of learning in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. HT is an independent, church-related, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study.
About Raasin in the Sun
As an Austin, Texas based multicultural art nonprofit organization, Raasin in the Sun (RITS) is dedicated to educating, inspiring, uniting, and regenerating communities through cultural arts and environmental initiatives. We are committed to represent creative works and to advance the inclusion of various peoples especially women and people of color. Through diverse partnerships, Raasin in the Sun spurs economic development, promotes social change, and improves the physical environment through creative placemaking. We aim to serve humanity with value and dignity while respecting the potential of all peoples, particularly those who are underserved, underfunded, and underrepresented. Our practices are inclusive and nondiscriminatory, and we foster artist equity and the belief in the transformative power of creativity
About Muralist Candy Kuo
Candy Yu Yen Kuo is a Taiwan-born visual artist and muralist currently based in Austin, Texas. With a background in fashion studies and music, her pieces often feature strong female portraiture, bright colorways, playful depictions of local flora and fauna, as well as influences from pop culture and musical inspirations. Candy has an extensive portfolio of publicly and privately commissioned art projects across the country. Many of these large-scale installations are permanent fixtures in local establishments, and range from individual projects to full-scale installations that often require collaborating with other artists, designers and agencies. She has worked with companies such as Bumble, Austin City Limits, Downtown Austin Alliance, the Arrive Hotel, Waterloo Greenway and Misfit Collectibles and was recently selected to be featured in the inaugural mural festivals for both the city of Austin as well as Beaumont, Texas.
About the Mural Arts Institute
Established in 2017 as an initiative of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Institute is dedicated to advancing research on and development of participatory and socially-engaged public art practices. The Institute’s approach is centered on connection: building networks, developing partnerships, and convening artists, community, and partners to collaborate around participatory, socially engaged public art practices. Their work is in service to a larger movement that values equity, fairness and progress across all of society. The Mural Arts model is brought to other change-oriented cities across the country to help build their capacity to sustain community-driven public art projects. They work with artists, activists, arts organizations, cultural institutions, municipal governments and more with the goal of igniting change with public art. *The Art & Environmental Justice Capacity Building Initiative collaborative team consisted of The Mosaic Workshop, City of Austin East Austin Environmental Initiative and Austin Creative Alliance
