Magic 11th Street

The Flats mosaic was officially dedicated Saturday afternoon in a ceremony that opened Garland's Juneteenth celebration. Houston artist Reginald Adams, who designed and superintended the assemblage of the more than 20,000 tiles that went into the art piece, said it was a tribute to "the vibrant community whose contributions helped shape Garland into the community it is today".

The project, situated along Fifth Street near The Atrium, tells the story of The Flats neighborhood that was a free-standing Black community occupying the spot where the Granville Arts Center, Garland City Hall, and some surrounding areas exist today. Community members met at Epiphany Gallery to help install tiles that ultimately became part of the 108-square foot mosaic panel, a city-initiated project.

Adams said it was the 16th Juneteenth-inspired mural that he has installed around the United States. He said these pieces communicate history in a "way that textbooks alone cannot".

Mayor Dylan Hedrick acknowledged several community groups, including Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street, that supported the project. The Friends organization sponsored, funded, and installed the Texas Historical Marker commemorating The Flats that is part of the overall installation and was unveiled on May 3.

The Friends organization also produced "The Flats: Cradle of a Community" musical drama in 2024 that first introduced the wider community to an awareness of the existence of The Flats in the first half of the last century.

Councilmember Justin Caraway, in whose district the mosaic is situated, said "we are a special and unique community and we have only scratched the surface of the stories that are out there".

Regarding Juneteenth, Adams stated that "Freedom is ensuring that future generations understand the sacrifice and achievements of those that went before" and said the mosaic and surrounding elements will communicate to "generations that will stand here long after we are gone".

Congratulations to Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street Vice President Chris Ott on his election tonight as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Garland. Chris was elected unanimously at tonight's council meeting. Chris is completing his second term on city council and has been Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. Congratulations also to Councilmember Carissa Dutton on being elected Deputy Mayor Pro Tem for the next term. Councilmember Ed Moore made the nomination for Chris and the outgoing mayor pro tem, Margaret Lucht, seconded the motion.

Representatives of Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street welcomed a special tour group this morning to downtown Garland to view the Texas Historical Marker commemorating The Flats early days Black community. The tour of about 35 individuals was led by Deah Berry Mitchell, one of the Dallas County Historical Commission members that processed the nonprofit's application for The Flats state marker when it came through the commission some time back. Deah leads Soul of DFW tours, which focuses on metroplex spots that are significant to African American history. Louis Moore and Kay Moore gave a brief summary of the nonprofit's history in sparking a wider awareness of The Flats, beginning with a 2017 focus group of Garland Black leaders and The Flats musical drama in 2024. Group members were invited back next Saturday (June 20) when the new mosaic depicting scenes from The Flats history, to the immediate south of the state marker, will be celebrated. The state marker was unveiled in a May 3 ceremony. Soul of DWF Tours educate the community on the significance of Black culture through cuisine and local history.

The beautiful new mosaic honoring The Flats community is situated in the vicinity of the Texas Historical Marker honoring The Flats that was dedicated earlier this month. The marker was awarded by the Texas Historical Commission to Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street. The mosaic, a project of the City of Garland, will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. on June 20 as part of the annual Juneteenth observance in downtown Garland.