Voices of the Children
  • About Us
  • OUR PROGRAMS
  • GET INVOLVED
  • Donate
  • Blog

From These Waters

A CELEBRATION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS TO OUR NATIVE LANDS

ABOUT

Painted by far more than 200 community members under the direction of international artist, Benjamin Swatez, From These Waters mural was designed with the help of teens at YMCA, OASIS Daylight Center.  With a theme of immigration and images of significant immigrants to the USA at large and references to immigration locally, the mural also pays homage to indigenous peoples who once inhabited the very land where the mural is located.  Painting the mural was an application of lessons learned at our Rachel's heART Art Camp hosted at YMCA, OASIS Daylight Center the week before painting began.​
Picture
It is our hope and goal that this mural be a tool for learning about the many references included in the piece and that it be used as a starting point for discussion on the topic of the included elements and any others you, the audience, would like to add to the conversation. ​
Picture

Mural App

In furthering our goal that this piece be used as a learning tool, we are beginning work on a Voices of the Children app.  Utilizing brand new, Augemented Reality technology for both IOS and Android platforms, the app literally brings the mural to life.  While viewing the mural through the app, a viewer may see the jellyfish swimming around, the galaxy spinning and the orca jump clean out of the water...all in full 3D.  Additionally, each reference to immigration included in the mural will be "Clickable" whereby a pop-up window appears with information on the reference written and formatted by some of the same teens at YMCA, OASIS Daylight Center whom helped design and paint the mural.

We dream of school groups visiting the mural with their smartphones or tables and engaging with the piece to spearhead conversation.  It could be used as a starting point for a teacher's unit on any number of topics or by parents with their kids to open dialogue among each other.  Or, just to play with and have fun!

​Our goal is to have this FREE app available by the first of the new year, 2018.

Mural Gallery

Location

From These Waters mural is located at the corner of First and Gates Street in Downtown Mount Vernon, WA USA, on the south wall of Ristretto Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar in the U.S. Bank parking lot.

​​

References

The intent of this guide is to be a starting point for discovery and conversation within and about the mural.  It is not intended to represent complete research of each element.  We leave it up to each observer to further research any element and discover many others not listed here.
Download a printable pdf
*Formatted for 11" X 17" Paper

Special Thank You

DUTCH BIHARY
JENNIFER BOWMAN
ALFRED CURRIER
BEN MANN
These local artist volunteered their time and talents to contribute to this community piece.  Click on their image to visit their website and support local art!

Extra Special Thank You To Our Sponsors

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
JR SERVICING-LEASING

Become part of something bigger.  Join our mailing list for news and updates.

©2016 Voices of the Children.  Voices of the Children is a registered nonprofit organization.
  • About Us
  • OUR PROGRAMS
  • GET INVOLVED
  • Donate
  • Blog
✕