Where Memory Comes Alive Through Public Art
The Flats Living Mural Experience transforms Reginald C. Adams' mosaic mural into an immersive digital archive of movement, sound, and storytelling.
Using augmented reality, visitors can scan the mural to unlock animated scenes inspired by the lives, struggles, traditions, and resilience of Garland's historic African American community. This project bridges public art, oral history, and emerging technology to preserve stories for future generations.
The community-driven public artwork honors the legacy of Garland’s original Black neighborhood, known as The Flats. Once a vibrant and close-knit community, The Flats was displaced through redevelopment, leaving behind stories that deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Through hand-cut glass tile and layered imagery, the mural brings those stories back into public view. It reflects everyday life, family, faith, music, and entrepreneurship, capturing the spirit of a people who built a strong and meaningful community.
Shaped by input from descendants, residents, and local historians, the mural is created with the community, not just about it. Each section serves as a visual archive of shared memory and cultural identity.
More than a work of art, the mosaic stands as a permanent cultural marker. It invites reflection, education, and connection, honoring the past while grounding future generations in truth, pride, and belonging.
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THE FLATS LIVING MURAL EXPERIENCE
The augmented reality component of The Flats Living Mural Experience transforms the mural into an interactive educational platform where visitors can use their phones to unlock animated scenes, narration, music, and historical storytelling. This immersive experience deepens public understanding of Garland’s original Black community by blending public art, technology, and local history.
The Music
Music serves as an emotional thread throughout The Flats Living Mural Experience, bringing the stories and resilience of Garland’s original Black community to life. Inspired by gospel, blues, jazz, and soul, the soundtrack captures the spirit of faith, struggle, joy, and perseverance while transforming the mural into an immersive and living historical experience.
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Partners & Sponsors
City of Garland
The City of Garland demonstrates its unwavering commitment to cultural enrichment and community expression through transformative public art projects like The Flats mosaic mural.
Garland Cultural Arts
The City of Garland Public art initiatives are funded on a project-by-project basis and include support from the Garland Cultural Arts Commission, the Office of Neighborhood Vitality, Economic Development, Downtown Development and private developers.
Absolute Equality
The Flats mosaic mural extends the vision of the Absolute Equality by transforming public space into a platform for unity, history, and collective healing through art.
DalTile
DalTile’s support as the exclusive product sponsor for mosaic tile underscores their dedication to community-based public art and the transformative power of creative placemaking.
