New mural brings youth perspectives to Eastside Community Center

First it captures your eye. Then, it captivates your mind. A new mural installed this month at Eastside Community Center invites visitors to consider “Perspectives of Truth” expressed by seven young artists. Their series of four painted panels explores themes of culture, community, belief, and identity through imaginative scenes in vibrant colors.

A collaborative process under the guidance of local artist Tiffanny Hammonds ignited the ideas and talents of the young artists during the First Creek Middle School’s Club B program.

“Art has been a central component of this center from the very beginning,” said Parks Tacoma Board President Andrea Smith.

Community desire for this project was clear as early as 2017, before the Eastside Community Center even opened. During the planning process to decide what types of art would be featured at the center, many young people expressed a desire for a mural created by local youth.

Local artist and experienced muralist Tiffanny Hammonds brought the idea to life, taking on the challenge of recruiting and leading a team of youth artists. But where does one find a group of young people passionate about art and willing to spend their free time painting a mural? First Creek Middle School’s Club B program, which brings free after school activities to middle schoolers through a network of partnerships including Parks Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools, proved to be the perfect match for this project.

Starting with one brave sixth grader named Yarah, the group grew to include seven artists as students spread the word and invited their friends. Some shared a lifelong interest in art, and others were curious to try something new.

“At first, I didn’t realize the love for art I have. I used to like art, but now I love it. It’s really beautiful,” shared Nathaly, a sixth grader who worked on the project.

The project also gave students the opportunity to make new friends and feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Tiffanny Hammonds speaking at the dedication ceremony for the new mural.

“When I joined the club, I didn’t really know what to expect and I was pretty terrified because I didn’t know who was going be there and who was going to be teaching me. Once we got more into it, I started talking more to people and making jokes with people and helping people,” said Yarah. “The club really helped me express myself and express myself through art.”

A shared vision emerged over the course of three months, as the young artists and their mentor met twice a week to design, plan, and paint the mural. Teaching artist Tiffanny Hammonds guided the students in thoughtful discussions on the themes that each of the four panels would depict: culture, community, belief, and identity. Through these conversations, the design for the mural began to take form. Hammonds also gave lessons in fundamental art concepts and practical skills that the group would need to complete the mural. Once she provided the necessary tools and support, she encouraged the students to take ownership of the project and express their own artistic visions.

“I can’t really take much credit,” said Hammonds. “They trusted me with their ideas. They trusted me with the ability to help them convey something they want to spread to generations and I just hope they know how valuable they are.”

Each of the seven students contributed something unique to the artwork, from imaginative symbolism to bold color choices and meaningful detail work. The diversity of the students’ personalities, interests, and ideas are woven together to form the “Perspectives of Truth” represented in the mural. The result is a vivid and powerful work of art that reflects the multifaceted experiences of Eastside youth.

The eye-catching mural now welcomes all visitors as they descend the stairs to the Eastside Community Center Commons. Sixth grade artist Lucia voiced her hope that it will also inspire other young people to make an impact on their community through art.

“I love that we did that because maybe one day, someone like me in the future will be there and will think ‘I can be like that,’” she said.

Hammonds herself created her first mural at age twelve. Leading the group of students, including 11-year-old Lucia, has fulfilled one of her own dreams to see someone reach that artistic milestone at an even younger age.

“That is something that I’ve always wanted to be my mission. My goal is ‘Can I get someone to do something before I did it?'” said Hammonds.

Hammonds received a Parks Champion Award from the Park Board in June for her work on the ECC mural project.

Earlier this month, Hammonds was honored by Parks Tacoma with a Parks Champion Award for her dedication and leadership on the mural project.

Parks Tacoma Board President Andrea Smith voiced her gratitude to Hammonds at a dedication event for “Perspectives of Truth” on June 21.

“The work being dedicated tonight is the realization of an idea from young people in this community to create murals for the center with the participation of Eastside youth, and the teaching artist for this project, Tiffanny Hammonds, has gone above and beyond to make this dream a reality. We are inspired by her dedication to this project and the passion she has shown to lead the team of seven youth artists in the creation of this mural. Tiffanny not only taught them skills to bring their ideas to life, she inspired them to share their voices with their community through their artistic expression.”