The theme for Thanks-Giving Square’s mural project is “Highlight the Good,” which emphasizes the benefits that result from the diverse cultural makeup of our North Texas community. A selection committee representing The Thanks-Giving Foundation requested a positive piece celebrating the best in humankind. The artist was asked to interpret and express this theme in the mural while considering its relationship alongside the Golden Rule mosaic by Norman Rockwell, one of the most important artistic statements on diversity ever expressed.

“My interpretation of this theme is that while we are all unique in our differences, we are also very much alike. Both our differences and similarities are equally valuable and should be recognized. As it starts on the right, the design highlights our similarities. Three rows of portraits begin as gold rings (meant to mimic the nearby Ring of Thanks). This simple shape represents the basics, the building blocks of what we all share: bones, blood, the need to eat, entitlement to human rights, and more. The piece, represented by 35 portraits, starts to highlight our increasingly complex and diverse uniqueness as it moves to the left. All of the faces in the piece are oriented towards the Golden Rule mosaic in a gesture of solidarity with that iconic work and what it represents.” (Artist J.D. Moore)