The Design

Joy in Noticing draws on Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights and his essay “Flower in the Curb,” which encourages finding joy in small things we might otherwise overlook.


An oversized floral bloom anchors layered, imperfect forms and expressive color, while four quiet phrases, developed in collaboration with Manton Heights residents, are hidden across the court, each an invitation to notice the simple delights that surround us. In this work, Barnes provides an opportunity to unlock meaning in each of the discrete elements, encouraging players and casual observers alike to slow down, notice, and discover.

The mural is crowned by radiating torn paper forms that represent both sun rays and moments of illumination and discovery. The imperfect circles represent seeds which are collected, planted, and nurtured, much like ideas. 

The layered paper forms throughout the design reference collage as a way of bringing together fragments of landscape, community, memory, and nature. The torn page numbered “9” is a nod to the page in Ross Gay’s book where the essay appears.

The words “Look slowly” along the undulating black line serve as an invitation and a pathway onto the court. The organic nature of the line implies expressive movement while also forming an “M” for Manton.

“For those who come here to play, my hope is that this court inspires curiosity, cultivates the practice of noticing, and encourages people to carry both beyond the court and into their everyday lives. There is so much joy and beauty to be found in the things that are often overlooked if we simply remember to take the time to slow down and notice.”
Alyssa Barnes