05/04/2026
It’s been so much fun sharing pieces of Founders Day with you this past week… and we saved this one for last. 🎨
We’re so excited to share a closer look at the art that came to life at Founders Day, from hands-on creativity in the moment to a powerful piece that will live on in our community.
First, you’ll see photos from our interactive art station, where kiddos were invited to jump in, create, and be part of something bigger.
This hands-on experience, made possible through the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Rural Arts Integration Program, was inspired by artist Alma Thomas and her vibrant circle paintings. Young artists created their own abstract circle artwork using cardboard rounds and paint sticks, thinking about color, pattern, and what their “dream garden” might look like from a bird’s-eye view.
They were encouraged to move freely, explore different colors and shapes, and not worry about perfection, just create. This interactive art station was much enjoyed!
Each piece became its own little expression of joy, imagination, and perspective… and together, they reflected something really special about the energy of the day.
Next, we’re proud to introduce a piece that carries even deeper roots:
“Everything Cave City 2026”
Epoxy resin over wood panel (diptych)
This collaborative work was created by our middle school and high school students in partnership with the Thriving Cities Lab - IASC during a two-day workshop this April.
Students began their experience with a visit to the cave, taking photos, observing nature, and gathering inspiration from a place that holds so much history and identity for our town. From there, they explored different artistic mediums and reflected on personal and collective declarations, something you’ll see woven throughout the piece.
On day two, they chose a powerful image: a group of students standing in silhouette at the mouth of the cave. They transferred that image into pencil, creating the foundation for the work.
From there, each student filled in a portion of the mosaic in their own style and medium, resulting in a piece that is layered, expressive, and uniquely collaborative.
The final work is a diptych:
• The left panel was created by middle school students
• The right panel was created by high school students
This piece was unveiled at Founders Day as part of its purpose — to give students the opportunity to create something meaningful for their community and to have a place to share it.
And now, it will live on.
We’re proud to share that “Everything Cave City 2026” will be permanently displayed in City Hall for all to enjoy — a lasting reflection of creativity, place, and the next generation of Cave City.
This is exactly what we hoped for when we said we wanted to create more space for art and culture in our community.
We’ve enjoyed recapping Founders Day over the past few weeks—thank you for viewing, engaging, and celebrating right alongside us.
