Jeff Fruth Photo

This art project was designed and painted by a community group, a dozen or so people, both teens and adults. Project Director was Michael Parker, the artist in residence for the Big Draw. The project was conceived and sponsored by the SouthShore Arts Council as a keystone element of the Big Draw season, and was generously funded by the John Crawford Fund of the Greater Community Foundation of Sun City Center. Maynard Clark, the owner of the building, generously gave permission to use the huge south wall of his building for the Mural.  The mural group began meeting in early September, and developed the ideas and images over a 4 - 5 week period. This involved research of the history of Ruskin, study of color and image composition and enlargement, and lengthy discussions of possible themes and elements. The idea of the piece is “Head, Heart and Hand,” taken from the motto of the founders of the community of Ruskin in 1908. “Head” being represented by the images of the old and new College buildings and John Ruskin and the two founders of Ruskin, “Heart” by the family and home, and “Hand” by the tomato fields. There are also skylines of the cities across the bay, and a sunset....hope? The design was completed in early October and painted from October 6 - November 1. It was painted by Michael Parker, his assistant David Bush, and the mural team...whose signatures are now on a signature block in the lower right corner. There will be a formal public dedication in December.