We are celebrating TAP Alumni, Kori ‘Q’ Thomas, or Quest Nine, as the winner of this year’s TAP Alumni T-Shirt Competition! Kori’s winning design is currently available for purchase on a t-shirt, hoodie, crewneck sweatshirt, or tote bag on our Bonfire store.
Quest Nine is a multidisciplinary artist, muralist, arts program facilitator, and activist dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of art. As an advocate of mental health awareness, she created a program while in the Teaching Artist Project called Vibrant Minds; Creating Identity, which explores the power of self expression, and how it helps to improve youth mental health through community projects, murals, and public art.
Participating in TAP allowed Kori to get a deeper look at the process of creating lesson plans with Universal Design Learning, which helped her in writing successful grants that brought public art and accessible youth art programs to her community.
Through vibrant, large-scale murals and intimate, thought-provoking pieces, Quest Nine explores themes of social justice, community empowerment, and personal identity. With a passion for sparking meaningful conversations and inspiring collective action, Quest Nine’s work embodies the intersection of art, activism, and hope.
The art piece used for the new TAP merchandise was originally envisioned as a vibrant mural, celebrating the unity and strength of community collaboration. Originally titled “Together We Rise,” this large-scale work features an array of hands in a spectrum of colors, symbolizing the rich diversity of the country’s inhabitants.
Each hand, reaching together and upwards, with a sun rising through their palms, conveys the message that when we come together, we can create a radiant impact on our surroundings and foster meaningful change. Through its representation of intentional collaboration, the mural inspires viewers to recognize the strength found in unity, encouraging them to embrace their power as a collective force for positive transformation. This artwork stands as a beacon of hope and resilience in our current climate, inviting all members of the community to join hands and uplift one another in the pursuit of a brighter, more inclusive future.
Spread the word on intentional collaboration through supporting our values-based merch! A portion of every sale goes to support TAP’s programs!
