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...

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...

  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/  

  **CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER** This event will be rescheduled. Stay tuned! Wednesday February 12, 2025 3:30 - 5:00pm Grades 6-12 Greendale Public Library 5647 Broad St, Greendale, WI Experience how expressing ourselves through art can connect us to our feelings, and community art can help people share ideas and work together despite differences. Take a journey through the storybook 'Caring All Around Me', see and discuss examples of Tia's murals, and do your own therapeutic art exercise which you can take home with you! No registration. Space is limited.

'Rockford Taking Flight' Film Screening MOWA Art + Wellness series Wednesday, December 04, 2024 10:30am-11:30am (free for members) Museum of Wisconsin Art 205 Veterans Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095 Creating Unity through Community The Healing Power of Art How can creating together build community despite different perspectives? Milwaukee artist and muralist Tia Richardson explores themes of identity, unity, and togetherness in her collaborative creation process. Join Richardson for a screening of her short film Rockford Taking Flight and a discussion of the transformative power of collaborative public art.   About MOWA'S Art+Wellness series Art+Wellness is a drop in series focusing on topics that promote wellness and inspire a creative life. Free for members, Art+Wellness activities are held the first Wednesday of the month.  

 JOIN US FOR COMMUNITY PAINTING! Monday, December 2, 5pm-7pm Tuesday, December 3, 5pm-7pm Wednesday, December 4, 5pm-7pm Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education 5075 N. Sherman Blvd Milwaukee, WI 53209 (Use front entrance. We are in the former drivers ed room, lower level). Come to help bring to life a new mural honoring Jimmy Banks, Milwaukee-born soccer player and coach who played for the 1990 World Cup on the Men's US National Soccer Team. We had several community design workshops where friends, family, and colleagues of Jimmy gathered to share ideas about Jimmy's efforts. Their perspectives and feelings about who Jimmy was as a person, his accomplishments, and way he served the local community, were used to draw inspiration from for the design. This project is an initiative of Friends of Jimmy Banks. To learn more, visit: https://www.jimmybanksstadium.org/ "The Friends of Jimmy Banks is a collective of friends, former players and coaches, family member...

Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 1PM - 2PM Silver Spring Neighborhood Center (Meeting Room) 5460 N. 54th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204 Join us to see the new mural design that will be installed on Jimmy Banks Memorial Stadium, and to learn more about his work and what he offered to Milwaukee's soccer community. The design was inspired by three community design workshops led by Tia Richardson. The project is a collaborative effort with Friends of Jimmy Banks.  If you're interested in staying up to date on this project as it unfolds, you can sign up for email updates here.

  Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m.—2 p.m.  in conjunction with Second Saturday Museum of Wisconsin Art 205 Veterans Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095 Meet Wisconsin authors including author/illustrator Tia Richardson as they sign their books available for purchase in the MOWA gift shop. Second Saturday is a lively monthly event that turns the entire museum into a destination for creative experiences. Families can explore the museum, participate in drop-in art-making, live entertainment, gallery activities, and more. Every month offers something new! Second Saturday takes place on the second Saturday of each month, drop in 10:00–2:00. Free for Members. Second Saturday is sponsored by the Leola Culver Family Foundation. MOWA Shop Peruse unique, artist-driven array of products and gifts at every price point, from museum-branded items to objects for the home to artist-made exclusives. Every purchase benefits museum programming and the artists you love.

Saturday, September 30th 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142 Stop by the Southwest branch of the Kenosha Public Library between 11am - 4pm to purchase a copy of 'Caring All Around Me' and get it signed by the author! Tia will be there the whole day to meet folks interested in learning more about the book and accompanying workbook and ways it can help young people learn about healthy relating. Free coloring pages from the workbook will be available at her table. She will be participating in the 5 minutes with an author at 3:15pm. 25+ authors spanning genres will be present to meet guests and sign books. Activities between 11am-4pm unless otherwise noted. Browse author booths from 11am - 4pm, check out workshops and panel discussions, and family-friendly activities for all ages - kids and adults alike!  

Opening Receptio n and panel discussion   FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 4:30pm - 8:00pm panel discussion begins at 4:30pm ART AND CULTURES GALLERY Alexia Hall, 3441 South 39 th Street Free and accessible lot parking is available. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/9cshZMQuHsPEqmWFA Title: Illuminating Our Future as One Community by Tia Richardson   Panelists: Blanche Brown, Susan Falkman, Roxane Mayeur, Tia Richardson WOW! is a Directors invitation exhibition featuring the work of 26 women artists from all media including painting, photography, sculpture, metal work, mixed media and ceramics. The opening reception on September 15 begins with a panel discussion at 4:30p...

PEAK Community Mural unveiling 4:00pm - Program (speakers, participants, artist statement) 4:30pm - 5:30pm - Community Dinner   Join us to celebrate the new mural completed this year at PEAK Initiative! PEAK initiative inspired me with its 4 core values, including “the community is better when everyone contributes”. True to its spirit, the mural was completed with ideas and painted by many PEAK youth & Midtown community members. A short program at 4:00pm and community dinner to follow from 4:30 - 5:30pm! Their website states: "PEAK is a year-round program that offers a series of carefully designed activities to cultivate a deep sense of belonging and help youth explore their innate capacity for leadership at all ages. From building fires to leading community service projects, PEAK offers a wide variety of experiences that spark young people's curiosity and uncover their strengths. Our youth commit to participating in activities year-round for the most impactful ...

Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit 2022 “From Talk to Action: Becoming a Change Agent on your Campus.” "Healing Through Art" - May 20, 2022 Dejope Residence Hall Artist Tia Richardson was invited by Richard Barajas, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a keynote speaker and to present her work. Part of the invitation was to offer veterinary school students, staff and faculty a chance to participate in a collaborative mural they could help paint as part of the conference. Her keynote includes a screening of the short film 'Rockford Taking Flight' and photos of her collaborative art efforts in southeastern Wisconsin and Illinois.   The Iverson Bell Summit is named for the first African-American veterinarian to hold the position of Vice President in the American Veterinary Medical Association. The primary goal of the summit is to promote diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine, with special attention to academia.   For more info and c...

Adapted from Pulpit Speech  Sunday June 12, 2022 Unitarian Universalist Church West, Brookfield, WI 'Milwaukee Gaia Buddha' Recently, I was thinking about the fact that we live in a multicultural society. In honor of this Juneteenth, I'm thinking about the principle of freedom, specifically the efforts by many to gain it throughout our nations history. And - having made gains - the challenges that comes with it in a society where we interact daily with people who have different histories, cultures and traditions from the group or groups we belong to. In my journey I've had the chance to interact a lot with different cultural groups abroad, locally and around the U.S. For many, including myself, it's the experience of traveling and getting to know different cultures that makes it fun. There's things I value, and other things not so much - for example, the foods that might not agree with my stomach. But, being an artist and traveling is great. What's better ...