Black Lives Matter - Street Mural

The summer of 2020 was complex and filled with community self-reflection, discussion, and expression. The unjustifiable death of Breonna Taylor was devastating and became one of the reasons for the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the USA and the world, leading to art activism and BLM street murals across the country. As a community artist, I am inspired by Mending Walls, a public art project that brings together artists from different life experiences to collaborate on a mural.

As an artist, I had many challenging conversations leading me to take action as a BIPOC ally, participating in this conversation using art as a catalyst. Everyone deserves to feel as welcome and comfortable in their hometown. Challenging conversations were necessary. I needed to be sure I was painting from the right place in my heart, not from ego or accidentally stepping over experiences and voices outside of my own

After being approached by Timothy Bennett, I decided to paint the intersection at the heart of our community in Downtown Cortland on Main Street and Court Street. On June 28th, Molly Reagan and I gathered volunteers and the community to paint overnight. This mural was temporary and served its purpose of spurring conversation. I hope that it leads to deeper, more constructive conversations in our community and leads to more unifying public and community arts initiatives.

Press:

SUNY Cortland Bulletin: Alumni team up for antiracist mural in Cortand

Cortland Voice: 'Black Lives Mural' Painted in Downtown Cortland