Words are the currency of communication, the essence of language and expression and have the endless capacity to be powerful. Award-winning, Internationally renowned artist Mia Tavonatti, and Laguna College of Art and Design mural professor, believes, “One word can make all the difference,” and is illustrating that premise through The Power of Words Project, which she recently launched in Laguna Beach.

Tavonatti is asking, “If you had the power to choose one word that defined the vision you hold for the future of your community, what would it be?”

She is asking people to vote by January 1 at www.powerofwordsproject.org.

“People can go online to vote for one word that defines their vision for the future of Laguna Beach,” Tavonatti said. The chosen word will become the theme of a new mural that her LCAD students will start working on in when classes for the semester begin.

The humanitarian mural campaign is designed to inspire communities by weaving the transformative influence of art and power of words together to create a powerful piece that illustrates the vision elected to represent their community.

“The idea of a single word is so simple that it’s difficult to see the power in it,” Tavonatti said. “But that one word is a very powerful seed that can that can be planted in the heart of a community.”

The artist has used one-word murals mantras for a long time and she finds her method to be highly effective.

“They work and I think that this is a great way to very subtly and carefully inspire people,” Tavonatti said. Besides the obvious visual benefits of art, she hopes the mural will be thought provoking and stimulate conversation.

“Words inspire change, but well chosen words can transform,” the artist said.

The idea to do a humanitarian project has been percolating for about five years and came to her while she was working with students, but everything came together this year.

“My students and I painted the mural in the canyon in 2003 that was destroyed earlier this year,” Tavonatti said. The new mural will be created at 2105 Laguna Canyon Road, where the previous mural was located. And the project will take three semesters to complete.

Now she has a location and the funds to create the work that were donated by Community Art Project (CAP), LCAD, her foundation, The Svelata Foundation and the owner of the property.

Photo by The Grand Rapids Free Press

Tavonatti won the popular vote to earn first place and $250,000 in the prestigious 2011 ArtPrize competition in Michigan in October for her stained glass mosaic, “Crucifixion”. She finished second in 2010. 383,106 votes were cast to determine the winner among 10 finalists from 1,582 entrees. Tavonatti contributed most of the funding for the new Laguna Beach mural through the Svelata Foundation.

The mural’s design will include the chosen word and the students’ visual interpretation of the word.

“Each student will have to come up with their own concept,” Tavonatti said. “My students will have to make a formal presentation in front of a board of judges and then the (winning) concept will have to be formally presented to the Arts Commission.”

Tavonatti likes that the process layers relevant real world experience for the fledgling artists. The class will also team up with local artists representing many genres as a mentorship for the students.

So far, 36 words have been nominated and votes are being cast.

“It’s essential to get online and vote,” Tavonatti pleaded.

The winning word will be announced on January 15.

To read the article in the StuLaguna, please CLICK HERE.