TAC's Community Collaborations

The Umbrella Offering

1996

It all started in Bridgewater, Virginia where an artist went back to his roots where he grew up and went to school to inspire a community of students.  Artist David Heatwole inspired by world renowned installation artist Cristo designed a project that could unite students and be a lesson in tolerance.  With help from his former high school art instructor Linda Leffel, Heatwole spoke to the entire school in 4 assemblies about art, peace and tolerance then he invited students to participate in the making of a large work of art that would be made up of individual portraits of each of the students.  The result was this giant Peace Fish aka. The Umbrella Offering.

Aerial photo courtesy of Early Photography; Harrisonburg, VA

What is an “Umbrella Offering”?

An Umbrella Offering is the term used by The Arts Collaborative (aka. Transcendental Arts Council) to describe a unified effort of giving, on a large scale, in the form of a project (ie work of art.)  Each of these large projects are designed to unite people who are interested in giving of their Time, Talents and/or Treasure in a unified and effective way.

What is a “Community Collaboration”?

A Community Collaboration is the term used by TAC for the process that takes place between participating community members, and others who are effected by the process of making an Umbrella Offering (ie. work of art).  While the final product of this collaborative effort, between community members, does take the form of a work of art (ie. An Umbrella Offering in the form of fine-art, literature, music, film production, dance or any other form of artistic expression) it is the process that makes the art (the Umbrella Offering) either a masterpiece or not.  In our case the process is a very synergistic process that should affect others outside of the working group of individuals as well as the recipients of the Umbrella Offering.

• The Umbrella Offering is an ongoing arts program designed to bring together people of all walks of life in a creative & inspiring way.
• By utilizing the arts of all disciplines, the TAC and its Umbrella Offering program can unite a community through the process of making art of a boundary-busting nature.
• Each project is designed to benefit and aid one or more local non-profit humanitarian and environmental interest groups in their mission to serve the community.

The Umbrella Offering program allows us to perform what could be considered “art therapy,” but administered, or practiced on a large scale, rather than on a one-on-one basis.  Although in order to work effectively and to grow, The Umbrella Offering project must touch individuals one person at a time.  It is through the process of making the entire project that encourages and invites each individual to become involved and to offer a piece of themselves.  Through this interest and effort, the participating community is transformed.

Check out the video about ourCommunity Collaborations

Flowering of a Dream

2000-2002 (3 flowers bloomed)

Aerial photo courtesy of Neil Steinberg of Photoworks; Leesburg, VA

The Art InSPIRE Maze

2003

Aerial photo courtesy of McCall Graphics; Frederick, MD

The PAL Mural (Puzzles Accentuate Life)

2004

Photograph of the final mural created by children of the local community with direction and assistance from artist David Heatwole.

Put A Lid On It project

2011

This mural and many more in the Eastern Panhandle were created with help from numerous volunteers from around the Quad-State region of WV, PA, VA, and MD