From Curbside to Canvas: The Mandala of a Forgotten Wurlitzer

One afternoon, walking through the neighborhood, I stumbled upon a piece of history—a 1950s Wurlitzer piano, left abandoned on the sidewalk, destined for the garbage truck. The faded wood and tarnished keys told the story of countless hours of music, now silenced by time. But as I looked closer, I didn’t just see a broken instrument—I saw potential.

I knew that inside this forgotten relic, there were pieces that could live again. So, instead of letting the piano become just another item in a landfill, I brought it home and got to work. Gutted for its parts, the piano’s drums, hammers, cables, and interior mechanics became the raw materials for a new creation. The mandala I crafted measures 4 by 5 feet, transforming discarded components into something visually stunning and purposeful. Each piece plays a part in a larger whole, much like the way all things around us, even when discarded, can have value if we take the time to see it.

This isn’t just about art—it’s about the story we’re all part of, one where repurposing and recycling are vital. In an era where environmental awareness is at the forefront of our national dialogue, my work with this piano serves as a reflection of a deeper truth: we must learn to see the potential in what we would otherwise discard, whether it’s physical objects or human talent.

This mindset has paralleled my professional work building the National Accreditation Commission (NAC), a programmatic accrediting agency focused on recognition of short-term and noncredit workforce training and unearthing hidden talent. Much like the parts of this Wurlitzer, each individual has a unique set of skills and potential that, when matched with the right opportunity, can become part of something bigger and more meaningful.

Through NAC, we aim to align training with the demands of employers—ensuring that no one’s skills go to waste, much like ensuring no part of that piano was left behind. The idea of taking what’s already here, whether it’s an instrument or an individual in your company, and giving it new life is something that transcends art and business alike.

In both cases, it’s about looking closer, seeing potential where others see waste, and creating something powerful, sustainable, and lasting. Just as the Wurlitzer mandala symbolizes the harmony of form and function, our work with the National Accreditation Commission seeks to create harmony between training and opportunity, ensuring that the pieces fit together in the most meaningful way possible.

So, while the piano may no longer play music, its parts now tell a new story—a story of rebirth, repurposing, and the power of seeing things, and people, for what they can become.