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Building a Dream
Acrylic on canvas, 3 ft x 4 ft Penny C. Wang 2026 (90% completed) Solo Exhibition, Urbandale Public Library Gallery, August 2-29, 2026 Featured Artist Solo Exhibition, Carnegie Centre for the Arts, Algona, July 10-11, 2026 Building a Dream is designed for the utility box at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 6th Street SW, Cedar Rapids, adjacent to Taylor Elementary School. The final painting will be digitally adapted to fit the utility box's four sides, creating a vibrant landmark that celebrates the Taylor neighborhood's past, present, and future. At the heart of the composition is the Taylor Tiger, representing the school's enduring spirit, courage, and leadership. Although Taylor Elementary is facing closure, the tiger continues to symbolize guidance and encouragement for future generations, leading children toward their dreams while strengthening the bonds of the community. Inspired by Taylor Elementary's school garden, flourishing trees and oversized flowers symbolize growth, resilience, imagination, and the limitless potential of every child. Warm sunlight spreading across the landscape represents hope, opportunity, and renewal—reflecting the strength of a neighborhood that has overcome challenges, including the flood and derecho, through compassion and collective effort. The painting's blue and green palette reflects both the colors of Taylor Elementary and the natural beauty of Cedar Rapids, honoring generations of students who learned, played, and grew together. More than a tribute to a beloved school, this artwork celebrates the enduring identity of the Taylor community and its belief that every child deserves the opportunity to dream, grow, and thrive. The utility box's four sides also provide opportunities to incorporate community-inspired elements, such as meaningful words, neighborhood symbols, or stories contributed by students, families, teachers, and residents. My goal is to create an artwork that not only preserves cherished memories but also welcomes future generations, transforming an everyday object into a lasting symbol of hope, unity, and belonging. |
Artist's Notes: The final artwork will be digitized and adapted to fit the dimensions of the utility box located near Taylor Elementary School. The tiger represents the legacy, spirit, and leadership of the Taylor neighborhood across generations. Although the school will soon be closed, the tiger continues to symbolize guidance for young people as they pursue their dreams while fostering unity within the community. Gardening has long been an important part of life at Taylor Elementary School, the trees represent growth, resilience, and the ongoing renewal of Cedar Rapids. The mountain of giant flowers symbolizes imagination, creativity, and bright future of the children in this neighborhood. The light shining over the landscape represents hope, opportunity, and prosperity for the community. Blue and green are the primary colors used in this painting, reflecting both the identity of cedar rapids and the colors of Taylor elementary school. They remind viewers of the school where generations of families learned and grew. More than a tribute to the past, this artwork celebrates the future and the enduring spirit of the Taylor community.
Design Concepts
As I walked to the elementary school, I saw the school gardening project and the mural inside the gym. I spoke with a teacher and learned about the many projects they have led to serving the neighborhood, especially their efforts to support families rebuilding after the flood and the derecho. Hearing the teacher talk about what brings their children joy—gardening and the Taylor Tiger—and witnessing the love and dedication the school has shown to the community changed my perception of the Taylor neighborhood. I came to see a community defined by unity, compassion, and connections across generations. Since the 1970s, the Taylor Tiger has accompanied several generations of children as they grew up. It has become more than a school mascot; it is part of the identity and shared memory of the Taylor community. Learning that the school may close soon filled me with sadness. I thought about the families who have lived here for generations. Future children may have to travel farther to attend school, and they may no longer be able to walk into the familiar building and see the cheerful tiger mural in the gym. As I stood beside the utility box, I wondered what role it could play in the future. Should it reflect something else since the school may no longer exist? Or could it become a storyteller and a cheerleader—preserving the community's memories while continuing to inspire hope, unity, and belonging? Every day, people will pass by this utility box on their way to work, school, and home. It could remind longtime residents of their shared history while welcoming newcomers into the story of the Taylor community. My hope is to create an artwork that celebrates the memories of Taylor's residents, children, and teachers while building a bridge between those who have loved this neighborhood for generations and those who are just beginning to call it home. Through images of kindness, resilience, and community, the mural can honor the past while inspiring hope for the future.
Design Concepts
As I walked to the elementary school, I saw the school gardening project and the mural inside the gym. I spoke with a teacher and learned about the many projects they have led to serving the neighborhood, especially their efforts to support families rebuilding after the flood and the derecho. Hearing the teacher talk about what brings their children joy—gardening and the Taylor Tiger—and witnessing the love and dedication the school has shown to the community changed my perception of the Taylor neighborhood. I came to see a community defined by unity, compassion, and connections across generations. Since the 1970s, the Taylor Tiger has accompanied several generations of children as they grew up. It has become more than a school mascot; it is part of the identity and shared memory of the Taylor community. Learning that the school may close soon filled me with sadness. I thought about the families who have lived here for generations. Future children may have to travel farther to attend school, and they may no longer be able to walk into the familiar building and see the cheerful tiger mural in the gym. As I stood beside the utility box, I wondered what role it could play in the future. Should it reflect something else since the school may no longer exist? Or could it become a storyteller and a cheerleader—preserving the community's memories while continuing to inspire hope, unity, and belonging? Every day, people will pass by this utility box on their way to work, school, and home. It could remind longtime residents of their shared history while welcoming newcomers into the story of the Taylor community. My hope is to create an artwork that celebrates the memories of Taylor's residents, children, and teachers while building a bridge between those who have loved this neighborhood for generations and those who are just beginning to call it home. Through images of kindness, resilience, and community, the mural can honor the past while inspiring hope for the future.