2023 Public Art Project | Juneteenth Murals
Public art holds immense value for a community, serving as a powerful tool for social, cultural, and economic development. From enhancing the physical environment and celebrating diverse cultural identities to engaging residents in civic discourse and driving economic vitality its impact goes beyond aesthetics and plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall well-being of a community.
This message will be so powerful for the thousands of clients that we serve. The lobby where the mural will be painted is the location where clients come to our offices for help and hope. This mural will be a great example of the hope and help that exists all around us. It will be impactful in its message of remembrance of history and the future. We will incorporate this mural as well as a place of personal reflection. Remembering the past and envisioning a better, brighter future.
West Houston Assistance MinistriesThis mural will be displayed in our busiest walkway – the Community Resource Center. This will allow visitors, participants, and staff to deepen their understanding of Juneteenth’s significance and engage in meaningful dialogue about its impact on American history and the ongoing pursuit of racial justice. By integrating this artwork into our physical surroundings, we aim to provide a visually compelling and accessible platform to spark conversations and engage our community.
United Way of Greater HoustonOur staff, volunteers, and guests will see and interact with the mural each time they visit our lobby. The mural will be a great way to start conversations and raise awareness of the impact and meaning of Juneteenth and how it affects our clients and neighbors during tours with our stakeholders.
Lord of the StreetsThe vibrant Juneteenth mural, lovingly painted by dedicated volunteers, will not only commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, but its captivating imagery will serve as a backdrop for engaging activities, discussions, and educational initiatives that promote cultural awareness and inclusivity, bringing the community together and empowering seniors to share their wisdom and experiences.
Precinct2getherThe correlation between a public art installation and Juneteenth lies in their shared ability to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and inspire positive change in society.
The murals in this year’s public art project serve as a powerful medium to commemorate Juneteenth, a significant event in American history. Each of the four murals, similar in theme, highlights the journey of slaves in servitude to community leaders in servant leadership roles emphasizing the values of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility.
The art installation is designed to foster dialogue and reflection, inviting viewers to engage with the themes of liberation, resilience, and social justice that are central to Juneteenth. They serve as a platform for storytelling, amplifying the voices and experiences of African Americans and their journey toward freedom. Ultimately, the Juneteenth public art murals will educate and raise awareness about this important milestone in the fight for equality. The public nature of the installation makes Juneteenth more visible and accessible to the community, promoting inclusivity and unity.
Volunteers are invited to paint a portion – 1 stroke or 100 strokes – of the murals at the Reginald C. Adams Art Studio in the Third Ward. All supplies are provided and the artists will provide guidance.
This year’s public art project is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
Economic Development
Social Impact of the Arts86% Increase in Civic Involvement
Eighty-six percent of civic engagement participants want to be involved in future projects, and after their involvement, people living where projects occurred were more than twice as likely to be civically engaged as those whose blocks did not have projects.
Education
Social Impact of the Arts5X Less Likely to Drop Out
Students excited by school stay in school. Low-income students who participate in the arts, both in school and after school, have a dropout rate of just 4 percent—five times lower than their peers.
Health + Wellness
Social Impact of the ArtsArts Help Residents Appreciate Each Other
Intra-community trust is a major component of livability. Research shows that by collaborating on artmaking and beautification efforts that benefit a shared neighborhood, residents can increase feelings of trust and appreciation of each other.
Environment
Social Impact of the ArtsArt Inspires Change
The right art amplifies the effect of pro-environmental messaging. Participants who view an underwater photograph with related text about plastic pollution in the ocean are more likely to change their behavior than participants who only viewed the corresponding text.
Housing
Social Impact of the ArtsMore Art = More Value
The more art, the more desirable a neighborhood is to live. A 10-year study found that an increased presence of art in neighborhoods was correlated with a faster-than-average increase in property values in those neighborhoods over that time period.
Employment
Social Impact of the Arts60% Say Creativity is Most Important
Data from the Social Impact of the Arts wheel provided by Americans for the Arts.
Reginald C. Adams
Reginald is also the Founder & Creative Director of Absolute Equality-Juneteenth Mural Project. The Juneteenth murals for IMGH will be a part of this nation wide initiative to honor and celebrate Juneteenth through public art. Learn more about Absolute Equality at www.absoluteequality.org
United Way of Greater Houston
Harris County Pct. 2 Hardy Senior Center
Lord of the Streets
West Houston Assistance Ministries
Past Public Art Projects
2022 | MLK Day
Mural Design by David Cobb - Installed at Books for Development, Boys & Girls Club, Harris County Cultural Arts Center, and United Against Human Trafficking.
