WELCOME!

"My Canvas is the Collective Illusion We Have of Being Separate From One Another."
 
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Daily Message for Inspiration


We are all Divine by nature.

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'Sherman Park Rising' a Finalist for the inaugural Janice and Stephen Marcus Public Art Award

The Milwaukee County Historical Society held an awards ceremony on April 26, 2025. There are event photos and a written reflection on Tia's blog here

'Sherman Park Rising' after restoration efforts in 2024

"I feel honored to be a finalist and its one I want to share with the community.
It was they who inspired me. " ~ Tia Richardson

The mural 'Sherman Park Rising' was selected as one of three finalists for an inaugural public art award presented by the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Eligible submissions were evaluated by a prestigious panel of jurors based on historical relevance, integration with surroundings, community impact, public engagement, and how well the artwork reflects local values and character. If you would like to learn more or see this year's winner, you can visit: https://milwaukeehistory.net/2025awards/public-art-award/
 

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MILWAUKEE PBS: THE ARTS PAGE

"Tia Richardson discovers the power of community through murals"

If you're interested in experiencing the journey, you can watch the short films 'Sherman Park Rising' or 'Rockford Taking Flight' on the Film tab here.

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MURAL PORTFOLIO

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COMMUNITY ART LEADERS

(Youth Artists United)

A youth development program in collaboration with Milwaukee Christian Center

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This program offers high school young artists a chance to develop their creativity, self-confidence, self-discovery, collaboration, and community building through designing and painting a community mural. Students work with Tia Richardson's guidance through a step-by-step immersive experience working with community members on a full-scale mural project. Interviews and hiring are based on an interest in community building, drawing, and painting. Read more

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CARING ALL AROUND ME
Storybook and companion Workbook
by Tia Richardson

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Order Storybook here

Order companion Workbook here

In the storybook, 30+ pages of vibrant watercolors will take you on a magical journey into a garden full of possibilities. Follow Mara, the main character, as a brighter world is opened up to her. In her life she had found difficulty in relating. A whole new world is opened up to her full of potential she can embrace.

In the accompanying workbook parents, teachers and therapists will find 60+ colorful pages of guided activities and coloring pages for helping young people learn about healthy relating. Adults and kids alike will enjoy doing the activities for stress relief, self-acceptance, making healthy choices, and discovering your inner potential to help make the world a better place. Open up a brighter world full of potential you can embrace!

Published by Orange Hat Publishing. Also available at Amazon.com, B&N.com and by order at your local bookstore

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MUSICAL MURAL PORTFOLIO


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'ROCKFORD TAKING FLIGHT' Trailer

Embark on a journey where one artist struggles to heal herself and a community through a collaborative art effort.  
 
Explore the films that will take you on a journey through Cosmic Butterfly Design's work. Available as educational resources and for in-person or virtual screenings with Q&A.
 
Directed by: Toni McLaughlin in association with Neil Bloom of Future Memory Media
Runtime: 25min


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"THE RESTORATION OF COMPASSIONATE LAW"

Milwaukee County Courthouse, Lower Level

The images for this mural were inspired from Milwaukee County employees with diverse backgrounds during a 2hr design workshop to create a vision of what a better courthouse community can be.

The mural is one of a series of murals created by different artists commissioned by the Office of the County Executive to brighten the courthouse and better reflect the community it serves. 

On September 3, 2020 a virtual press conference unveiled the murals to the public. 

Read: Urban Milwaukee: New murals at Courthouse unveiled


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SHERMAN PARK RISING

'Sherman Park Rising' is a documentary short about how after events of tragedy and unrest, many residents of the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI. find a way to express their feelings through a mural project. Interviews with participants and elected officials allow us into their hearts and minds.

Directed and Produced by Andrew Gralton and Tia Richardson. (Runtime 24min)

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Wilson/WSTEM Elementary School Mural

Designed and painted in collaboration with over 300 students in Pre-K - 5th grade

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"THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION"

Featuring photos of the murals 'Bridging Milwaukee's Heart'; 'The Restoration of Compassionate Law' and 'Pursuing the Vision' ~ Read more: matc.edu

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UMOJA MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 COVER ART
'THE GIFT OF LOVE'


'The Gift of Love' reproduction is available for purchase on FineArtAmerica.com

There website states: "Umoja Magazine is the oldest African-American owned magazine in Wisconsin. For nearly 30 years, UMOJA Magazine has provided Dane County and the state, positive news about the Black community with beautifully illustrated covers, commissioned by local and national African-American artists." Learn more: www.UMOJAMAGAZINE.com

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NEW FOLKLORE: COMMUNITY ART & SOCIETY SHIFTS

Interview by CopyWrite magazine ~ Read more


"My heart is in impacting people and touching other people's hearts. A lot of the change we want to see we can legislate but we can't legislate an attitude. You can't just change somebody's attitude at the flip of a switch. That's the work of Community Art." 

~Tia Richardson


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'WISCONSIN LIFE' PBS: "Artist Paints her City in a Positive Light"

Segment nominated for a producer's 2017 Arts/Culture/Entertainment Midwest Emmy!


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Interview with Tia for Springboard for the Art's Creative Exchange: Artists with Impact

This blog series highlights people around the country who are using their art, creativity and connections to shape their communities. Read more

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An inside look on the process of community members sharing stories about growing up in one of America's most segregated cities: Milwaukee, WI. This project was co-facilitated with Jeanette Martín in partnership with STITCH Collective.

 

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Awards

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