Tassanee Hill’s journey with Urban ArtWorks is an example of what it means to grow through art, community, and leadership. Having participated in every program we offer, from MAP to Base Crew to the Youth Advisory Council, Tassanee has consistently shown up with creativity, dedication, and a passion for making a difference.

We sat down with her to talk about her experiences working on murals in every program, as well as for herself.

In fact, now she’s looking ahead to her next chapter: leading a project at her high school titled Bulldogs Against Overdose, where she plans to use art as a tool for awareness.

How did you first get involved with Urban ArtWorks?

I started Urban ArtWorks through my mother who got recommended. At first when my mom told me about Urban ArtWorks I was so upset because I hated going to programs and having to socialize with new people. When I started MAP I was very nervous, but when I ended MAP (Mural Apprentice Program), I ended with a new perspective on what I can do with my art.

What projects have you worked on in MAP, BASE Crew, or the Youth Advisory Council that you’re most proud of?

I am proud of all of the projects I’ve done with Base Crew and MAP, but the project that I am most proud of is my first mural with MAP. The first mural I did with urban artworks was the Martin Luther King Providence Elderplace mural in 2022. It is the mural I’m most proud of because it was the start of my art career. If I wasn’t brave enough to go into MAP and do this project, I would have never been where I am now. This mural gave me a gateway to a career in my art and also put me in a room full of amazing mentors like Felipe.

Can you share a favorite memory or moment from one of your Urban ArtWorks projects?

One of my favorite memories from Base Crew was the 2024 fall Base Crew session. On my birthday I was not in a great mood and I felt very lonely. When I went to Base Crew that day I wasn’t expecting much that day, maybe just some planning. As the session was starting to end I was surprised with a cake and a happy birthday. That day made me realize that I’m seen and that I have a community around me to support me.

What do you enjoy most about working with other youth artists on murals or creative projects?

What I enjoy the most about working with other youth artists on projects is the way you can see everyone’s different creative minds. We all get the same information on a project and every sketch comes out different and authentic to themselves.

How do your culture, background, or personal experiences show up in your art?

My art is rooted in where I was raised and how I see people. I paint women infused with nature and it connects to being raised around many ethnic women and being raised to heal myself with nature. As I put those two topics together I create how I see peace.

What have you learned about teamwork, leadership, or your community through MAP, Base Crew, or Youth Advisory Council?

Working with Base Crew taught me a lot about teamwork. When in Base Crew for the first time, I didn’t want to work with others because I was scared that my ideas wouldn’t be good enough and that I wouldn’t be able to see the vision that i had on the final piece, but as i finished the first season of Base Crew, I was glad that my idea wasn’t the only idea and i could see every single one of our visions come to life. I learned that teamwork doesn’t always need one person to lead, everyone is the leader and when the work is done, you can see how everyone’s brain works.

Why do you think public art is important, especially for young people and communities?

I think that public art is very important for young communities because it gives communities a sense of light, positivity, and colors to places that may feel dim or grey. I feel that it also gives hope to young artists and shows that art and creativity is still relevant in a time where AI art and media is taking its toll on the art community.

How has being part of Urban ArtWorks helped you grow as an artist or as a person?

Being a part of Urban ArtWorks taught me to make better choices for my future. When I was a freshman in Base Crew, I was enjoying the sessions but not showing up as much as I should have. What made me change was the change in how much money I received at the end of the season. I was so disappointed at the time because I didn’t realize how many days I wasn’t there to help with the projects, but now that I’m older I am so very grateful that I was held accountable for the time I put into my work. That experience has made me way more attentive to how important showing up can be. Urban ArtWorks also helped me realize how much I would love to make my career based off of my talent.

What kinds of art or projects are you excited to explore next?

This year I have a lot of art projects that I’m set to do, but I am most excited to work with my school again to create a mural for Bulldogs Against Overdose. That will be my last mural that I will be working on as a high schooler which, is very important to me that I am going to be working on the mural with Garfield’s youth.