Artist Statement: Based upon the locally iconographic palmetto palms and banana trees, this colorful design is a vibrant and recognizable rendition of Gulf South flora. The striking breaks in color and leaves are intended to visually mirror the keys of the piano and the patterns and movement of music. Growing up my dad always made sure to keep our family’s banana trees in good order - before every winter he would chop them off, nearly to the base of the tree, so that when the cold front hit, the tree wouldn’t turn brown and mushy in our yard. Miraculously the trees come back every year, taller and more plentiful than ever. Watching them sprout so quickly is a reminder to me of how resilient and powerful our gulf landscape is, and how we as people hold that same strength and potential for growth if we nurture and maintain ourselves in all that we do. Music in our schools and public places is vital for this growth.