This new Columbia mural celebrates kindness, diversity. Here's where to see it
A mural commissioned by Children's Grove for the exterior wall at the building shared by Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and Compass Health will have a special dedication ceremony 4 p.m. Sept. 6.
The mural titled "Kindness Heals" by artist Tina Blanck features hands of various skin tones and one that is painted in rainbow colors spelling the word kindness in American Sign Language. The mural also features paintings of butterflies, a symbol of Children's Grove, which aims to support the mental and emotional health of Boone County and Columbia youth.
Planned speakers at the dedication are Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Boone County Northern District Commissioner Janet Thompson, Children's Grove President Kim Dude-Lammy, Blanck and DeafLEAD Institute social worker Ashley Pappineau. Health Educator Heather Harlan will be singing at the dedication as well.
The city is asking the public to arrive by 3:45 p.m.
The mural went through the Accepting Gifts of Works of Art process for donating works to the City of Columbia, which is managed by the City's Office of Cultural Affairs, the department that oversees the city's public art program. The mural highlights community values of kindness and diversity in Boone County, the city said in a news release.
"Children's Grove is appreciative of the support of PHHS, Compass Health Network, City of Columbia and our community donors. Together, they joined hands to help Children's Grove further its mission of kindness. The creation of this art mural represents kindness in action," said Joyce Smith, Children's Grove art chair in the release.
Children's Grove also has a public art mural of a butterfly in downtown Columbia in Alley A near South Ninth Street on the building that houses Speckled Frog Toys and Books. Several photos on social media feature people taking photos in front of this butterfly mural.
"We are so happy to have such a beautiful and inclusive painting to represent both our staff and our partners at Compass Health," PHHS Director Stephanie Browning said about the "Kindness Heals" mural. "When you look at this mural, you cannot help but feel happy. This is yet another great addition of positive artwork featured in our community."
In case of rain, the dedication will be rescheduled to 4 p.m. Sept. 13. PHHS will make an announcement on social media in this eventuality.
Children's Grove was founded after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Columbia resident Anne Deaton encouraged other residents to turn grief into action, according to information available on the organization's website.
The first efforts were to plant a grove of trees and other landscaping at Stephens Lake Park to "honor the memory of children who have met harm’s way anywhere and at any time and to use the trees to symbolize the entire community’s strong stand to promote children’s mental, emotional and physical health, happiness and safety," the information noted.
Money raised planted more than 40 yellow butterfly magnolia and crab apple trees. The grove was dedicated in 2014. Children's Grove has a kindness tree program in which organizations can plant trees and place butterfly-shaped benches nearby.
More: Here's how Columbia, Boone County organizations raised awareness for Children's Mental Health
Children's Grove, working with the Putting Kids First coalition, also helped a Boone County tax pass to provide mental health services for children and youth. A Youth Mental Health First Aid program, in collaboration with University of Missouri Extension was formed.
Children's Grove programs have grown to include a Kindness Library, providing books on kindness to pre-K and elementary school children and sponsoring the Youth Kindness Ambassador program in local high schools. It also sponsors a wide range of educational, community and school arts programs to raise awareness about kindness and mental and emotional needs of youth, according to organization information.
More: Started at Gentry, Kindness Clubs expand in Columbia middle schools
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Dedication of new 'Kindness Heals' mural in Columbia set for Tuesday
