Post by Logan on Jul 6, 2016 4:42:36 GMT -6
Art project seeks to beautify blighted buildings with paintings of prominent black St. Louisans
Prominent black St. Louis politicians, entrepreneurs and entertainers are the subjects of portraits decorating boarded-up doors and windows of blighted buildings in St. Louis.
Colorful paintings of local figures such as activist Jamala Rogers and former state Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks adorn doorways and windows of vacant homes along Page Boulevard between Kingshighway and Union Boulevards. St. Louis nonprofit Better Family Life commissioned local artist Christopher Green to paint the portraits for the organization's Beyond the Walls project, which began in 2011.
"Through the Beyond the Walls mural program, we have looked at different individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the community," said James Clark, vice president of community outreach at Better Family Life.
In addition to honoring community heroes, Clark said the paintings are intended to beautify the neighborhood and "raise the esteem and deliver hope to individuals and families whose lives have been marginalized."
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/art-project-seeks-to-beautify-blighted-buildings-with-paintings-of/article_628fb811-1b56-5e8a-aeda-1d5685fe32b1.html
Prominent black St. Louis politicians, entrepreneurs and entertainers are the subjects of portraits decorating boarded-up doors and windows of blighted buildings in St. Louis.
Colorful paintings of local figures such as activist Jamala Rogers and former state Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks adorn doorways and windows of vacant homes along Page Boulevard between Kingshighway and Union Boulevards. St. Louis nonprofit Better Family Life commissioned local artist Christopher Green to paint the portraits for the organization's Beyond the Walls project, which began in 2011.
"Through the Beyond the Walls mural program, we have looked at different individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the community," said James Clark, vice president of community outreach at Better Family Life.
In addition to honoring community heroes, Clark said the paintings are intended to beautify the neighborhood and "raise the esteem and deliver hope to individuals and families whose lives have been marginalized."
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/art-project-seeks-to-beautify-blighted-buildings-with-paintings-of/article_628fb811-1b56-5e8a-aeda-1d5685fe32b1.html