A piece of artwork unveiled at Tucker Paving on June 4 offers more than a visual display; it tells the story of Polk County’s past, present, and future through layers of history woven together by artist Gleeva Straughn.
The piece, titled The Engineering Foundation: From Pioneer Trail to Paved Road, is part of Straughn’s Merge exhibit and was created as a tribute to the pioneers who helped shape Polk County and the modern-day builders who continue their work today.
Speaking at the unveiling, Straughn explained that the artwork reflects a central theme found throughout both the community’s history and her artistic process: Foundations matter.
“If you look closely at my art, you see so many layers,” she said. “Pieces that were once forgotten but now come together as one. Life is the same way. We all work hard to show the polished facade to make things look perfect from the outside. But underneath are the real layers; the memories, the struggles, and the quiet strength that shape who we are. My art is about the truth. The beauty isn’t found in perfection, but in the courage to be real, honest, and human.”
The mixed-media collage is created entirely from recycled local magazines and newspapers. Rather than using paint, Straughn carefully cuts and places pieces of paper one by one, creating detailed works that incorporate the stories of the community into the finished artwork.
Straughn says the growth she has witnessed in Central Florida both inspired and concerned her.
“I was amazed by how fast Polk County is growing,” she said. “But I also worried that the history of this community might fade away.”
That realization became the driving force behind the project. Her artwork connects the area’s early settlers with the people and companies continuing to build the area today.
She says the pioneers who transformed swampland into thriving communities faced the challenge of creating a solid foundation. The roads, infrastructure, and connections that blossomed all began with that work.
Tucker Paving, she said, is a continuation of that legacy.
“When Tucker Paving grades a new site, you are doing the exact work of the pioneers,” she said. “When you pave a new road, you are finishing the rough trails that pioneers cleared by hand so long ago.”
The collage serves as both a tribute and a reminder that while Polk County continues to grow, its future remains firmly rooted in the foundations made by those who came before, and by those who continue building today.
