Flags, smiley faces, even a cat and a palm tree now adorn a 3D map of Omaha soon to be displayed at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
The miniature paintings — done on small wooden tiles — are part of a collaborative art project between the Munroe-Meyer Institute and Autism Action Partnership.
The project is over a year in the making, said Tom McLaughlin, artist-in-residence at MMI’s Advocacy and the Arts program.
Work started in 2023 as part of the kickoff to Autism Acceptance Month. About a third of the tiles were decorated during World Autism Day, an event in which MMI partnered with Autism Action Partnership and other community organizations. Others were decorated by Trailblazers students, Advocacy and the Arts students, clients and families, as well as MMI faculty and staff.
More than 350 tiles, placed on pegs, now sit on a 3D map of Omaha to create an undulating pattern of peaks and valleys.
McLaughlin said: “Each peg represents that artist’s contribution to the community.”
The project likely will stay on display at MMI, although a permanent location has yet to be decided.
McLaughlin said MMI – and its clients – were integral to the success of the effort.
“As an artist, I could never do something like this myself,” McLaughlin said. “Only a large organization like MMI can do this. It’s an instant community piece.”
MMI’s Advocacy and the Arts program is funded by the Sunny Durham Family Foundation. Carolyn Owen Anderson was a fundamental part of the planning for the program.
“It’s truly a testament to her spirit and commitment to the arts community and making art accessible to everyone,” said Rachel Ray, assistant professor at MMI.