Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
2 new murals + more unveiled at Smithfield Public Art Walk [PHOTOS + VIDEO]
Reading time: 3 minutes
Two new inspirational murals and an outdoor photo exhibit highlighted the Smithfield Public Art Walk this past Saturday.
A great new addition to the historic Smithfield neighborhood, Bham Now was on hand to meet the artists and take in the festivities.
New murals across from Parker High School
Two murals were unveiled on Saturday at the corner of Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard and 5th Street North, across from Parker High School.
On the side of the building is a mural by Micah Althea called “Sow, Bloom, Become..”
Spanning 100 feet in width and 13 feet tall, Althea calls the mural a “vibrant love letter to the Smithfield Community and its roots.”
“It’s a story of community, uplifting the youth, inspiring them, cultivating their dreams and ambitions and helping them grow into that. I wanted something bright and colorful that could inspire people as they walked by or drove by the space.”
Micah Althea
The second mural is in the back of the building and was created by Desiree Pearson.
It celebrates Wallace A. Rayfield, one of the first professionally trained Black architects in the U.S., who designed dozens of buildings in Birmingham and across the country, including the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Stunning, powerful photo exhibition
Another highlight of the art walk was the large-scale photos exhibited by Louge Delcy.
Called the “Magic of Smithfield”, the photos honor Smithfield’s history and the Magic City Classic.
What’s next in Smithfield?
The Smithfield Public Art Walk was made possible thanks to a transformational $50 million CHOICE Neighborhood Implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Events like Art Walk is helping the community prepare for major changes, including replacing Smithfield Court, a 500-unit public housing community built in 1942, with 900+ affordable housing units across the Smithfield, Graymont and College Hills neighborhoods.
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