An artistic tribute to local military veterans now adorns an exterior wall at Tallahassee's Gilchrist Elementary School. The dedication ceremony took place the morning of Thursday, Nov. 7.
The big mural saluting veterans was designed by local artist Verdyce Gaines. It drew rave reviews from his grown son Zarian, who is also an artist.
"All of the murals that he's done around Tallahassee, Florida, this is one of the best ones I've seen," he observed, calling his dad the inspiration for his own work.
Another admirer was Leon School Board Vice Chair Laurie Lawson Cox.
"When I stepped out and saw this beautiful mural, knowing the hard work that went in and the students that were involved in painting it, I really got a little teary-eyed. It is beautiful! As students walk out with their parents and families to eat lunch in the courtyard, what an incredible way to honor the veterans in our community."
This was the 6th artistic place making project taken on by the Knight Creative Communities Institute. It was underwritten by VyStar Credit Union, where Miron Richardson is a vice president.
"We have a long history of supporting military members and their families since our founding in 1952 in the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville."
Gilchrist students and family members, many in military uniform, were on hand for the mural dedication.
