Power of Words: Natural

Power of Words: Natural

Painting/Mural

 BeWell Building, Marquette, MI, 49855

Artist: Mia Tavonatti

The Natural Mural is the tenth of a series of murals throughout the Upper Peninsula created by U.P. born artist Mia Tavonatti. The project was completed with help from supporting artists Tara Tavonatti, Michele Tuccini, Sabrina Langdon, Taryn Okesson, Emmalene Oysti and Patty Gagnon. The project was privately funded through Tavonatti’s Svelata Foundation, BeWell owners Kate Lewandowski & Christopher Ray, and community donations. The City’s Office of Arts & Culture assisted in coordination of the project.

Power of Words Project aims to inspire a community and help revitalize historic downtowns. Murals enrich a place and help give life and a voice to a town center. Each mural’s content is inspired through engaging the community. A word is chosen through public polls, discussions with a wide variety of groups within a community are held to help define what that word means to the local people. Reference photos and imagery are compiled from local photographers. Local artists are hired to help complete the actual mural. The public is engaged with the entire process so that they can feel connected to and proud of the piece of public art that now adorns their streets. “Art transforms. It transforms a space, it transforms a place, and it transforms the people it engages.” says Mia.

Mia hopes that a mural of this scale and quality will continue to raise the bar for public art in Marquette. “Marquette has always seemed like it’s been the arts and culture leader of the Upper Peninsula. I never planned on doing a mural in Marquette because I just assumed it had already been done, but now that I am here, I’m excited to be a part of a new wave of public art appearing on the streets of Marquette… Public Art really pushes a city to feel the creative inspiration that lives in all of us all the time. Marquette is a very special part of the UP, it’s beautiful here; really unlike anywhere else.”

Medium type: Acrylic

Date created: 2021

Location Info

BeWell Building

BeWell Building, Marquette, MI, 49855