Monday Mural Musings - from Rochester NY with love.

Still standing. And you? Public Market Rochester NY (Artist: Mr. Prvrt: Masked Woman - 2012) http://www.wall-therapy.com/mr-prvrt-4/

“We need some creative tension; people crying out for the things they want.” – John Lewis.

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Bold & Gritty would be a pretty good slogan for the City of Rochester, NY.

It happens to be the lifestyle brand started by Dr. Paul, MD, telling the stories of successful black men. "Because the story of every generation and every culture deserves to be told."

This resonates with me as a storyteller and as someone who always pays attention to who is telling their stories. You can find out more at Bold & Gritty. It was a pleasure to meet the unassuming David (which is how he introduced himself). If you are able to, drop by and chat with strangers who are drawn to public art in your midst. The conversations are a gift and have yet to fail to perk me up. (That was a coffee pun, for those familiar with the brand!)

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This week's walk was long and unplanned. I just knew that I had to get in some moving and air before yesterday's "Wizard of Oz" type weather, so I strolled late on Saturday afternoon. And while there have been countless excited posts about the up and coming John Lewis tribute mural in town, of course I had to see some of the working-in-progress on my own. It is the process not just the completed piece that is inspiring!

This project is being lovingly envisioned and created by Rochester native Ephraim Gebre, along with Darrius Dennis, Daniel Harrington, Jared Diaz, and Robin Alcantara. Rochester muralist Sarah Rutherford, who mentored Gebre during his time with Roc Paint Division, the city's youth mural arts program, is also assisting. For more documenting and details check out these city art photographers / curators Quajay Donnell & , / Jon Gary (who is also a friend).

Many people latch onto and quote John Lewis' statement on making "Good Trouble", and with good reason. Still I've always been drawn to the first part of that sentiment. Where Lewis, who had been through and seen more than enough injustice in his day, directed us to remain positive. "Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime."

Art keeps me hopeful; public community art projects provide a platform for optimism. We can create together and we do inspire one another.
The paint is on the wall!

Larger story: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/11/12/john-lewis-mural-downtown-rochester-ny-ephraim-gebre-i-am-mural-series/6259835002/

Yesterday I took an extended combination drive to a walk, because I couldn't quiet the jitters that I kept telling myself were the fault of too much coffee (when coffee is clearly the least of any of our problems). When I returned home I had to call my Dad to tell him how very grateful I was for all the beauty - not just in the world, but in our own little city. It was a major shift in perspective in just a couple of hours. So I'm sharing some of the highlights with you.

One of these murals from WALL THERAPY has been on my dream list to visit for over a year, now. I have attempted numerous times to get there- even posting a tribute to the Baltimore based artists http://www.jessieandkatey.com as a place holder - it seemed either impossible to locate or perhaps ephemeral and I had missed my moment to glimpse it with my own eyes. Determined to find inspiration, and loving the symbolism of "crossing that bridge" I had yet to cross, I found it wasn't such an undertaking after all. If you ask me sincerely, I will gladly take you to the secret-non-sidewalk-spot that really does exist in our mysterious and sometimes magical city. And just for kicks, I took some clicks of natural wonders native to Rochester, too.

Until we get through, enjoy the view. I hope these photos uplift you.

Here's the day's album: Monday Nov. 2 2020 - art for your heart: https://photos.app.goo.gl/T1vWeDZCUnFGPdgM9

Feeling like a work in progress (myself/can be a good thing). So why not two? Stay tuned, friends....

"Once in a while through all of us there flashes....some clear idea of what America really is.....and seeing our country thus, are we satisfied with its present goals and ideals?" — W.E.B. Du Bois mural in the Town of Great Barrington.

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On my personal page, I recently shared the fact that while my current home city of Rochester is crying out for justice in the midst of heartbreak and blatant manipulation by those wielding their powers; my former home turf has finally determined that its history of diversity is a source of its strength. Great Barrington, MA voted to rename a local middle school after civil rights activist and NAACP cofounder W.E.B. Du Bois. Make no mistake, what sounds like a given took decades of debate. And yet...
that juxtaposition reminds me that we can get forward from here even when that certainty isn't a given or the path clear.

So in that spirit, I'm sharing some from both Rochester, NY and the town of GB as a little visual bridge. I so appreciate the sign and active intention of a "Peace Maker Community Garden"; that's kind of what I interpret the power of public art offering us all; the space to wander in our imaginations and inspirations together.

Thank you, Rochester artist, visual poet, & all-around inspirer Shawn Dunwoody, and gratitude to the Town of Great Barrington Railroad Street Youth Project and BRIDGE community for their murals ensuring that the history is held and the message is clear. For more to the MA story: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/art-in-honor-web-du-bois-murals-go-up-in-great-barrington,529972