If you’re in the Madison area, drop by the Monona library with your kids for storytime and a therapeutic watercolors activity from the companion workbook afterward! Watercolor illustrations from the book will be shown on a large screen during the story, immersing kids in their imaginations. Copies will be for sale. Follow @mononalibrary. For their calendar visit: www.mononalibrary.org

  Connecting to our Nature through Art originally published in Visionary Viewpoints  magazine as "Connecting through Art" by Tia Richardson Have you ever noticed when you're out in nature, or having gone for a run, or connected meaningfully with friends – you feel more rejuvenated, more  alive?  It's hard to define or even get to at times, especially when we're feeling threatened or isolated, but when we feel moved we all know that feeling – of caring, of compassion, of belonging.  The more we're in touch with what we feel and sense the better we can promote our individual and collective health and well-being. We all deserve to live in a happy, healthy society. Thankfully, our natural senses know what that's about, if only we tune into them! Despite our struggles, there is a fascinating movement underway bridging arts, public health, and healing that I want to share. Music and the arts help people tune into their natural sensitivities  and better relate to...

This daylong event offers people a chance to discover ways art can enhance emotional well-being and collective wellness.  From 1:15-2:15 I'll be participating in A Long Table Discussion: Art, Museums, and Wellbeing. You can join us as artists, scholars, wellness professionals, and community members contemplate how art and museums support personal and collective wellbeing. Free registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-art-wellness-retreat-registration-1563965325389 Directions and Parking info: www.marquette.edu/haggerty-museum/directions-parking.php

Racial Healing through Community Art by Tia Richardson Adapted from versions first published in Kenosha News and  Visionary Viewpoints One day, I visited the Kenosha Civil War Museum and was struck by the exhibit with the standing bronze sculptures of soldiers representing different wars the U.S. has fought. The lifelike appearances, their interactions and the nature of their interactions ( listening and sharing ). There were groupings from all the wars the U.S. has fought. The tailoring of the uniforms belonging to different branches in the display cases; the food cans, noting every meticulous detail and thought that had to go into planning a war effort. From how soldiers receive their meals and rations, to the type and color of boots they wear (Afghanistan combat boots match the desert sand) – to the cooperation and collaboration it takes to actually do war – with skill. Do I really think anybody wins in war, or any fight or conflict for that matter? The US won wars to gain...

Imagining America: Practicing the Worlds We Want Presenting 'Community Healing through Art: Rockford Taking Flight'in Las Cruces, NM Check out Imagining America's online program to see all the imaginative, inspirational and creative offerings during their three-day conference. 'Community Healing Through Art: Rockford Taking Flight' is a presentation and film screening that will happen Friday, October 3. After the film audience members will have a chance to engage in a talkback around the topic of 'safe passage', psychologically and emotionally, using the healing framework developed by Tia of 'Challenges, Choices, Future'.   Full program >> visit

COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOPS Courageous Conversation Edition (Choose one) Ages 18+ Sunday 9/7, 3-5pm Kenosha Creative Space 624 57th St, Kenosha, WI OR  Tuesday 9/9, 6-8pm Civil War Museum - Freedom Hall 5400 1st Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140  Register Here ( Space is limited, first come first served):   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CWx8BEpKcd_rvEQ8roEiBBfTTFbvJUErjEIqdaqcwhE/viewform?edit_requested=true Tia Richardson is partnering with Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism on an upcoming community mural project. Instead of a Courageous Conversation that they host several times a year, Tia has been invited to facilitate several community design workshops for the mural that will focus on the topic of bettering race relations in Kenosha. Are you or someone you know from Kenosha? Come get to know your neighbors and discover a heartfelt way to freely share multiple perspectives on racial healing in Kenosha. We want rural and urban, electeds and a broad section of the community...

SATURDAY AUGUST 23 2-4pm Kenosha Creative Space 624 57th St Kenosha, WI  Kenosha Creative Space, in collaboration with Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism (KCDR), will host a film screening and talkback. This screening is a precursor to a community mural project being developed by KCDR and Kenosha Walls in collaboration with Tia Richardson that will be focusing on the topic of bettering race relations. We invite you to join us and discover the power community art can have on helping people work together towards a common goal. View trailer on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wPcgjsOgY&t=2s  Learn more about Kenosha Creative space here: https://kenoshacreativespace.com/ Learn more about the work of Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism: https://www.facebook.com/KenoshaCFDR/ 

  TUESDAY AUGUST 26th 6:00-7:30pm   Community Development Alliance "Advancing racial equity by providing  an affordable, quality home for every Milwaukeean" The Homeownership Lab 3800 W. Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208 Community art is a powerful tool to address challenges collectively. What makes it effective? Embark on a journey where one artist struggles to heal herself and a community through a collaborative art effort. 'Rockford Taking Flight' is a short film about a community just west of Chicago, IL. This powerful film will take you behind-the-scenes to a greater understanding of what can make community art so powerful. Runs 24min Directed by Toni Ashley McLaughlin in association with Neil Bloom of Future Memory Media  Produced by Tia Richardson The Community Development Alliance is an affiliation of community development funders and practitioners who have collaborated for over a decade on neighborhood improvement efforts in Milwaukee. Learn more: https...

HEALING WATERCOLOR READINGS Earthsong Books and Gifts 31st Annual Summer Festival   July 12th and 14th (Sat & Sun) 10am-5pm 2215 Kennedy Rd, Janesville, WI 53545 Phone: (608) 754-3933   Under the tents on the grounds of Earthsong Author and artist Tia Richardson will offer healing watercolor readings, art prints and copies of her book 'Caring All Around Me' and its accompanying Workbook.   A little background: When I first started doing portraits one of the things I used to do was what I called 'Soul Portraits'. That was where I intuitively connected to a persons soul and create an abstract representation of what it looked like in my vision, with a mini-reading to help them connect. This time I'll be trying something new, using a technique I've done before with groups for self-discovery. In that exercise, people are doing their own watercolor painting, without judgement as to a right or wrong way to do it, its just about noticing wh...

 By Tia Richardson Life is your canvas. What do you want to paint on it? Maybe you already feel it is too late to create what you want. Maybe what is there doesn’t feel like a fit. Or, maybe you feel like you have no choice in what is painted there. What if you COULD start to create something different in your life? Something more – harmonious? Did you ever think you could open up to new possibilities of what your life could be? Let’s imagine you can! After all your life is your canvas, and art can be anything you wish it to be. Let’s take a journey painting a watercolor of harmony. Your paintbrush will be your imagination. Imagine yourself walking down a narrow dirt path through a forest. The earth under your feet feels dry and solid. Next to the path green grass grows all around, wildflowers springing up; native plants growing in groups. Looking up, you see the bright blue sky overhead. As your eyes look up and over to the left you see the bright golden ...

Check out the full project here JIMMY BANKS MURAL UNVEILING Monday June 9th, 10am-11am JIMMY BANKS STADIUM 4300 W. Fairmount Ave. Milwaukee, WI   This mural project involved the efforts of many groups a nd individuals coming together to honor the legacy of Milwaukee-born soccer player and coach Jimmy Banks. Banks is known for being one of the first two Black soccer players who together, played on the US Men's National Team in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. After an injury prevented continuing a professional career, Banks returned to Milwaukee to coach youth in the inner-city and co-found the Milwaukee Simba's youth team. He helped increase diversity in the sport and inspired many with his coaching style fostering values of respect and life skills. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2019, but his legacy lives on in hearts of many people who've been impacted and inspired by work, and carry on his mission using soccer as a way to help young people discover their inner pote...

'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 This project has been documented in numerous print, online, television media; including PBS, local and national news outlets, and a short documentary film about the project. You can find the film along with an essay and other information about the journey on the Sherman Park Rising project page.  Photos from Awards Ceremony Wednesday April 16th, 5-7pm, 202 5 If you would like to learn more about the award or see this year's winner, you can visit here. ... Thanks to the Milwaukee County Historical Society for choosing the mural 'Sherman Park Rising' as one of three finalists; and for everyone who nominated it - the community, the jurors; and everybody who had a hand in making this mural possible. Stephanie Samarripa, Amanda Schick, and the team at Safe and Sound; the city D...

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Diversity and College Access presents: “Celebration of Cultural Expression: Art, Literature and Music” February 20, 2025 Dreyfus University Laird Center and Lounge 1015 Reserve St., Stevens Point This program featured a student and alumni art showcase, with inspiring work proudly on display in acrylic, textile, murals, and literature. It was a beautiful, inspiring evening of culture, creativity and fun.  Students gave performances, including poetry, song, and there was an energizing DJ to top it off, in between speakers. You can learn more about the featured DJ and event here: UW-Steven's Point to host Black History Month Event ... My keynote presentation included screening the film 'Rockford Taking Flight', showing the impact art can have on a communities; and some of the ups and downs I've experienced personally in my journey as an artist. It began with sharing a story about how, a couple of years ago I visited the Nat...

'The Twinkling of Life' Sound of children laughing Community fishing Soil, moss, microscopic, tardigrades Warmth - sunlight Children in a wooded area, hidden gem Tadpoles, plants What's in the unseen world? Diving into what we can't see Sitting under big willow tree - enveloped feet In water - tadpoles, fish, cattails, bittern Warm, midday full sun End, sunset, four seasons Beauty in all the seasons, all times of day Reds, purples, pinks - sunset  Willow vibes. Sun through willows Twinkling coming through, twinkling on lagoon From insect activity or fish Dragonfly laying eggs on water produces Twinkling Twinkling on snow Sunrise, sparkly movement and life Life no matter the season Kids engulfed by forest Bridges, ephemeral pond bridge Kids cross by being an animal Kids walking on lagoon, sledding Mom and baby deer Wauwatosa (Wauwatessi) Firefly Wawashkeshi - flickering white light Flickering of the tail of the deer 'Wawa' Monarch tagging, blazing star patch Kids...

  Thursday April 17, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm Beloit Club, 2327 S. Riverside Dr. Beloit, WI 53511 Tia will be guest speaking at this event, sharing her work as a community artist in images and video. "It's not always an easy path to be an entrepreneur, but with mental focus and connecting to what makes your heart happy, it is fun and rewarding. And its even better if you can inspire others to join your effort so we can make something better together!" ~ Tia Richardson

  Wednesday March 12th, 2025 3:30pm-5:00 PM Grades 6-12 Greendale Public Library 5647 Broad St, Greendale, WI 53129 In this workshop you will have a chance to work with community mural artist, author and filmmaker Tia Richardson, owner of Cosmic Butterfly Design. Tia will show examples of her murals, discuss how art helps people express their feelings, and read-aloud from the book she wrote and illustrated, Caring All Around Me. Afterward, you'll get to do your own therapeutic watercolor exercise which encourages self-discovery. Expressing ourselves through art can connect us to our feelings, and community art can help people share ideas and work together despite differences. 

The Milwaukee Historical Society presents the Janice and Stephen Marcus Public Art Award Award Announcement and Ceremony  Wednesday April 16th, 2025 5pm-7pm Milwaukee County Historical Society 910 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI Free and Open to the public. Please join us! The mural 'Sherman Park Rising' is one of three finalists in this inaugural award presented by the Milwaukee County Historical Society! From January 1st through the 31st, they invited the public to submit nominations for public art that reflects the values and unique character of the Milwaukee community. The winner will be announced during the ceremony.   Sherman Park Rising  was selected for its deep connection to the community. The mural acknowledges the challenges faced by the neighborhood, and is a powerful symbol of rebirth and community working together for a brighter future. This mural was commissioned by the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services in collaboration with Safe...

  University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Diversity and College Access presents: “Celebration of Cultural Expression: Art, Literature and Music” This event has a blog page. You can see photos and read Tia's reflection on it here ! February 20, 2025 Dreyfus University Laird Center and Lounge 1015 Reserve St., Stevens Point Join us for an evening of culture in celebration of Black History Month! Tia Richardson will be keynoting this evening's event with a screening of her film 'Rockford Taking Flight', a talkback and Q&A. Here is the event page on UW Stevens Point website: https://www.uwsp.edu/news/black-history-month-25/  

'Reaching Your Potential' Mural installed at Jimmy Banks Memorial Stadium, 4300 W. Fairmount Ave. Milwaukee, WI When I leave this world, I want to be able to say that I've done something for someone. I think by helping these kids, teaching them good values, not only teaching but motivating — if I can do that, I've done my job .” ~ Jimmy Banks Milwaukee honors soccer legend Jimmy Banks with new mural and stadium dedication    In the summer of 2023 the group Friends of Jimmy Banks Stadium invited me to do a mural that would honor the work of Milwaukee soccer legend and coach Jimmy Banks, for the stadium they had worked to rename in his honor. The location was his high school alma mater, formerly Custer, now Obama School of Career and Technological Education (SCTE). It's been a heartwarming experience, learning about the work he's done with youth in the local community after reaching the world stage and getting to know the people who knew him as friends, family...

 'EMBRACING OUR FUTURES WITH COURAGE' UWM Photo: Elora Hennessey The TRIO Student Support Services program works with often first-generation college students to help them achieve their academic goals and be successful. Getting to know this community, its aspirations and and successes, has been an honor. In 2022, through this collaborative mural process I had the chance to meet and work with students who have been through or are part of this program. During our workshops I heard firsthand from some of them about their journeys, where they've been, what challenges they encounter to get to where they are now, and where they are striving to go. ... Through our process of sharing and listening we made some discoveries, that allowed us to acknowledge and recognize different strengths the community has in order to make their journey. These strengths included a willingness to take new risks, reach out and ask for help, and expose oneself to new things. I was inspired ...