Kate Gilmore Heals with Art After Parkland Shooting

In a series of installations they’re calling Inspiring Community Healing After Gun Violence: The Power of Art, the Coral Springs Museum of Art in Coral Springs, FL commissioned five artists to create public art installations.

In the days and months following the devastating shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, the museum became a crisis center, and then a place of refuge for those in need of emotional support. A series of Healing with Art workshops then evolved where students, teachers and administrators could participate in art-making to help them heal.

The Power of Art is a series of five public art installations. The third installment, The Yellow Walk, was created by video and performance artist Kate Gilmore, associate professor of art+design, and was active for three days in early November.

Gilmore conceived of a large-scale interactive public art installation and performance piece which took place November 8–10 at the Art Walk in Coral Springs.

The Art Walk was transformed by an 800-foot long yellow carpet which performers from the Coral Springs and Parkland communities continuously walked on for the extent of the performance.

Audience members participated in The Yellow Walk. When walking on the carpet, a performer matched their pace and walked alongside them in companionship.

The first 1,000 attendees received a silk-screened t-shirt created by the artist with assistance from community members to commemorate the project.

This Power of Art project was made possible by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. In late 2018, the City of Coral Springs in partnership with the City of Parkland and Coral Springs Museum of Art were awarded a $1 million grant for the 2018 Public Art Challenge.