THE FACTS!
What: Tiles for America – Tallahassee, Florida
History: Tiles for America began on September 12, 2001. Lorrie Veasey, owner of OUR NAME IS MUD, began to create what she hoped would be an inspiration to recovering victims. From raw clay she fashioned approximately 5000 small angels and American flags, which she and friends attached to a fence that faced the hospital on September 14. The angels and flags were attached with ribbon, and before two weeks had passed, most of them had been removed from the fence.
Lorrie is a member of an organization called the Contemporary Ceramic Studio Association. Studios across the USA were understandably horrified at the events of 9/11 and eager to find a way to help. The idea of a tile memorial took hold, and soon studios all across the USA held individual fundraisers in which tiles were created for the NY Memorial. What was once a small section of fence has grown to encompass more than a full city block. Approximately 6000 tiles now hang on the Memorial, some even from national known artist.
TILES FOR AMERICA contacted Ribits Cottage in Tallahassee to bring tiles to New York City for the World Trade Center Memorial. There will be a minimum of 60 tiles selected by local dignitaries out of over 300 designed by children, families and individuals from our community.
Why:
§ To help keep the memory of 9-11 alive and never forgotten.
§ Empower children to express themselves through art.
§ Show the importance in giving back through art.
Who: Ribits Enchanted Cottage & Kidsville News! FL
Vision: To Enable Children, Families and Individuals throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding areas to be participate in Tiles across America.
Timeline: April 14th Volunteer Community Meeting
April 14 – 17th & 20th – 24th School and Community Organization Drive
April 18th & 19th Community Wide Tile Drive
April 24th Tile Decoration Deadline
April 27th & 28th Local Dignitaries Judge Tiles
May 1st Tiles Head to New York City
May 2nd Announcement of Winners
Tiles Displayed at Kidsfest (Fairgrounds)
May – Summer Months Tiles Displayed throughout the Community
Judges: Mayor John Marks
Superintendent Jackie Pons
Ken Armstrong, President United Way of the Big Bend
Nina Ashenafi Richardson, County Court Judge
Curtis Richardson, Former Legislator & Community Leader
John Dailey, County Commissioner
Tile Themes: Green * Education * Sports * Florida * Art * Music * Miscellaneous
Details: Have an “Artful Experience” or sponsor one for a child or class in our community. Adults, teens, and children of all ages have the opportunity to not only express themselves, but also pay it forward with the gift of art. Ribits Enchanted Cottage is equipped with everything: including stamps, stencils, sponges, idea books, a little coaching, and a lot of encouragement to make your very own tile.
There is a small charge of $5.00 per tile to cover the expenses of not only the tiles, but the expense to transport them to New York City. There will be a minimum of 300 tiles. Any additional proceeds will be donated in full to the United Way of the Big Bend to support a variety of organizations throughout the community.
Judges consisting of local dignitaries will be selecting 10 tiles each in select categories. The winners will be taken to New York City to be displayed at the World Trade Center Memorial. While the winners will be taken to New York all tiles will be featured in a traveling exhibit throughout Tallahassee for a minimum of the Spring and Summer months of 2009.
How to Participate: If you are interested in designing or sponsoring a group of kids to design tiles, please contact:
Ribits Ceramic Studio 850-671-5859 or visit: http://www.ribitsenchantedcottage.com
