This project was designed around a cast cement bench, with an inset for ceramic tiles. The bench is situated in a field, outside of the community garden, in the Mystic Housing Development. The community was invited to participate in the creation of the tiles and our group included young children, teens, young adults, parents and grandparents. The design was broken down into several small pieces, to be more inclusive of our group. We began with 2” tiles, moved on to larger tiles carved with words chosen to describe their community and ended with murals depicting seasonal scenes of the Mystic River, which is a close walk away. Those who were not creating the mural scenes, created small decorative tiles for the side of the bench. We made so many tiles, the back of the bench was decorated, as well. This bench will live on as a positive memory and asset for the community for years to come.

Funded by Mudflat Studios with the Mystic Learning Center (MLC)