Groundwork Arts updates council on community tile mural for Freedom Plaza

Groundwork Arts presented a community-driven plan June 23 to create a permanent ceramic tile mural at Freedom Plaza in Twentynine Palms, showing council members sample tiles and summarizing outreach and grant requirements.

Sierra, representing Groundwork Arts, described the project as a collaboration of students and community members rather than the work of a single artist. She said the project team consulted experienced ceramic artists—Crooked Tree Ceramics in Tucson and Julie Bender of San Pedro—to confirm materials and installation approaches. Sierra reported the project received 1,563 community survey responses and used student workshops (TK–12) to surface design themes: nature and desert landscape, creativity, community and belonging, history and heritage, and future generations. “We are 29. We are rooted in community. We grow through creativity and connection,” Sierra said.

Sierra told the council the project timeline was adjusted to meet California Arts Council grant requirements with community workshops completed by Sept. 30; staff will work with a licensed contractor and the city manager to finalize installation logistics. The community’s preferred site is the National Park Center north wall adjacent to the Visitor Center; the project will use organic shapes and include phrases suggested by students rather than personal names. The council applauded the community engagement and sample materials shown during the presentation.

Staff said project funding includes some Project Phoenix allocations and an $18,000 grant from the California Arts Council toward public art; further fundraising and grant applications remain part of the project plan.

The presentation closed with encouragement from council members and a plan to continue coordinating with city staff on contracting and installation specifics.