Artist brings African art to Richmond’s Jackson Ward: 'It is a prominent symbol’

The mural references the rich history of Jackson Ward and the neighborhood’s enduring mission to carry on a legacy of Black excellence, according to a press release.

JACKSON WARD IS NOT LIKE ANYOTHER PARK YOU MAY HAVE VISITEDIN THE CITY...JIB TO SAM OUR BRENDAN KINGSHOWS US HOW IT COMBINES A RTANDOUTDOORSPACE...AND HOW THE PANDEMICINFLUENCED THE PROJECT.BRENDAN?THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND SPACEAT THEGATEWAY OF THE CITY'S ARTDISTRICT.RECLAIMINGUNSUED PUBLIC SPACE FOR A BIGGERPURPOSEMAX HEPP- BUCHANAN/VENTUR ERICHMOND 14:38:22 I WOULD LIKEMUCH MOR EOF THIS THROUGHOUT THEREST OF CITY BUT THIS IS A GOODLIVING EXAMPLE OFWHAT WE NEED THIS ISN'T JUSTSOME PAINT ONTHE PAVEMENT - AT THEINTERSECTIONOF BROOK AND MARSHALL THE SITEOF A TWO YEAR-TRANSFORMATION IN RICHMONDS'HISTORIC JACKSON WARDMAYOR LEVAR STONEY 15:16:44 WELEARNED THAT RESIDENTS, VISITORSALIKE WANT MORE PLACES ANDSPACES TO GATHER, INTERACT,ENGAGE THE UNVEILING OF A NEWPEDESTRIANPLAZA, PARKLET AND A STRIKINGMURALMAX HEPP- BUCHANAN/VENTUR ERICHMOND 14:35:33 THIS WASDESIGNED AND PAINTED BY A LOCALARTIST NAMED CHRISVISIONS WHO ALSO ENGAGED THEYOUTH AT ART 180 TO HELP PAINTIT RICH COLORS NOW FILL THE ROAD- RED BLACK AND GREEN FROM THEPAN AFRICAN LAFG.AND A SYMBOL FROM GHANAMEANING "TO GO BACK ANDRETRIEVE' MAYOR LEVAR SNTOEY15:18:26 IT IS A PROMINENTSYMBOL AT THE ANCESTRAL BURIALGROUNDS IN SHOCKOE ANDSPEAKS TO THE INTENTION OFJACKSON WARD PROJECT TO REACHBACKO T OUR RICH LEGACY AND MAKESURE IT SHINES AS A BEACONMAX HEPP- BUCHANAN ELD THEPROJECT WITH VENTURERICHMONDN AD A DOZEN OTHERPARTNERS.MAX HEPP- BUCHANAN/VENTURE RICHMOND 14:37:44 COVID ISSTILL AROUND AND IT'S REALLYIMPORTANT TO BE OUTSIDE STILLAND GIVE PEOPLE PUBLIC SPACE TOITENRACT HE SAYS THIS IS WHATRICHMONDERS HAVE BNEE ASKING FORMAX HEPP- BUCHANAN/VENTURE RICHMOND 14:38:12 RESTAURANTSWANT MORE OUDTOOR SEATING,PEOPLE WANT MORE PLACES TO VISITOUTSIDE FOR RECREATION OR FORSOCIAL INTERACTIONS MAYOR LEVARSTONEY 15:21:20 3, 2, 1AND WHILE THE SCISSORS MAY BEDULL - THE FUTURE REMAINS BGHTRIINJACKSON WAD CRROWD CLAPPINGIM TOLD 39 THOUSAND DOLLARS INGRANT HELPED MAKE THISALL HAPPEN.THE PROJECT INCLUDESHIGH VISIBILITY POSTS CALLEDTRAFFIC CALMING ASPECTS IN HOPESOF SLOWING DRIVERS DOWN AS THEYDRIVE OVER THE MURAL.WORKING FOR YOU IN RICHMOND IMBK CBS SIX NEWS