Marvin Gaye Park and Riverside Center Mosaic
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Lauren Spiro

This project has been so much more rewarding than I ever dreamed it would be. I am getting to know many of the residents of the neighborhood. I have been in some of their homes when we went to pick some parents and kids up to give them a ride to the site. Some of the guys tell me about their lives and what the neighborhhood was like when they were growing up. I learned a bit about the cafe and look forward to learning a lot more. Marvin Gaye sang there early in his career and people remember when he sang there. It is a special place for them with many memories of good times, of happy times, hopeful times.

There is a steady stream of local people who come by and comment on how beautiful the mosaic is. I encourgage them to help out and glue a few ceramic pieces to the wall. Many say, "oh, I am not an artist". Some people, after we talk a while, will take a knife and add some grout to it and add a few pieces to the wall. They contribute and then they see is isn't hard at all. You don't have to be an artist. Then again maybe we are all artists.

I am glad to have the opportunity to do a small part to making this city, this street corner more beautiful and celebrating our rich history and our deep connections to each other.