SISTER MURAL PROJECT
Our Sister Murals Project is working to install 4 murals, one in Norwich, East Lyme, New London, and Old Lyme. From research to creation to use, this project brings together these CT towns to form a larger sense of community. Together we will transform unused neglected spaces to create new community spaces for gatherings, education, and contemplation.
Our Sister Murals Project is working to install four murals, one in Old Lyme, New London, Norwich and East Lyme.
From research to creation to use, this project brings together these small towns and cities. Together we will transform two unused neglected spaces to create a new community space for gatherings, education, and contemplation.
GOAL
Our immediate goal is to create 4 murals. One in New London, Old Lyme, Norwich, and East Lyme. Each simultaneously and transforming unsightly public walls into beautiful usable spaces. In addition, these murals will be researched and executed by both communities with an emphasis on education and engaging local youth. Since the residents of all 4 towns will be involved in every stage of the process, they will build a new unified community. This will solidify a new partnership and develop a sense of ownership over the idea that we are in the Racial Justice fight together.
This project is called “Sister Murals” leaving room for more “sisters” to be born. Our model of partnering communities of metropolitan cities and with their suburban neighbors have a great potential to create change. We hope this first project will be a beacon for other towns and cities to follow.
RESEARCH
In the research phase, our goal is to tell stories that happened in our local communities. Every place has its story and every place has experienced racial injustice or had a hand in perpetuating it. We hope to tell these stories to engage directly with local populations, while also creating something powerful, beautiful, and useful.
CREATION
In the creation phase, our goal is to physically bring communities together. We have the support of local art teachers and institutions and will bring the people of New London and Old Lyme together to re-create two underused spaces. Each space selected has some public area attached to it. By putting benches in those areas, we will invite viewers to sit, gather, and be educated by the stories told on the wall. In creating and enjoying these murals TOGETHER we will foster community and communication, the key elements towards effecting true change.
Edmund Pettus Bridge Diptych Painting
Nancy Gladwell and Jasmin Oroyo paint a diptych exploring the Edmund Pettus bridge.
This first work commissioned by PARJE is a two-paneled painting (a diptych) meant to be seen together. The work reflects on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This bridge played a pivotal part in our country’s Civil and Voting Rights history.
Nancy Gladwell is working on the left side of diptych, showing the Edmund Pettus Bridge as it was on Bloody Sunday in 1965, Jasmine or Jas Oyola- Blumenthal is working on the right side of the diptych, a more impressionistic painting of how we hope the bridge will look sometime in the future when we’re all working together to overcome systemic racism.
These two paintings, both about 2 feet by 3 feet will be hinged together in a wooden carrying case that can then travel between schools, libraries, faith communities, museums to teach what it means to be engaged in “good trouble.”
The hinges that connect these paintings might also be seen as significant. It’s important that the 2 paintings not be seen as “before” and “after” images, that we still have a long, long way to go, “miles to go before we sleep”, much work to build the “beloved community” if we’re ever to realize the peaceable kingdom on the far side of that bridge. It doesn’t take too much observation to see how horribly “unhinged” the world is at the moment.
The hinge is a type of lever, and so even as we contemplate the paintings on the left and on the right, we can ask ourselves, how we can be the “hinge”, how we can provide the leverage so necessary at this time?
As the Greek philosopher Archimedes said, “Give me a lever, and I can move the world!” May we live in that hope and that confidence!
ABOVE: Work in progress image. Left side of painting by Nancy Gladwell)
“I'm attempting to capture a more joyous and "togetherness" outlook of bloody Sunday. A young girl sketching (soon to be MLK and John Lewis faces) yet on her desk are newspaper articles from that time/ possible stacked history books pertaining to voting rights/ social justice. Joining her are everyday fighters of freedom. No matter the color, age, religion or political spectrum, people coming together for the greater good is what I dream of. Only love! “
- Jas Oyola-Blumenthal
ABOVE: Work in progress. Right side of painting by Jas Oyola-Blumenthal
WHY THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE?
Built in 1940 in Selma, Alabama and named after a former senior officer in the Confederate Army and a Grand Dragon of the state’s Ku Klux Klan who died in 1907. The bridge’s name was and is a constant reminder to Selma’s black population that white supremacy still reigns. In 1965 a young John Lewis led a march across that bridge advocating for voting rights for black citizens. The first March was peaceful and orderly, yet it was met with violent opposition from the white state troopers. John Lewis was severely beaten, and gassed, as was a young black woman. A young black man trying to protect his mother from the troopers was shot to death. That day is known as “Bloody Sunday”.
Voting rights for people of color remains an issue to this day. PARJE is dedicated to dis-assembling systemic racism, and to that end, ensuring the right to vote for all. There were three marches in succession that March all advocating for the black vote. These events led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 under Lyndon Johnson’s administration. One half of the diptych will tell the story of Bloody Sunday with a central depiction of the march, surrounded by vignettes depicting significant events around and during that day. Also included are portraits of Pettus, Lewis and other champions of Racial Justice and voting rights.
EDUCATION
PARJE Educational Programming - Public Arts For Racial Justice Education is pleased to announce our educational programming coming summer 2021.
PARJE educational branch is divided into two groups:
1) Adult-oriented lectures in partnership with local cultural institutions. We will bring in prominent BIPOC artists and educators to discuss how art can change the world. Keep reading for more.
2) Immersive and interactive programming for children. Our children’'s program will kick into high gear as we begin the Sister Mural Project. We will be engaging children in and out of classrooms to both researches, discuss, and create our murals.
Watch our first 2 lectures now!
PARJE is pleased to co-sponsor a lecture by Dr. David Canton about Black art and politics. The talk was given on June 9th (virutlaly) at the Lyman Allyn Museum in conjunction with their Memories & Inspiration - The Kerry and C. Betty David Collection of African American Art Exhibition.
Dr. David Canton - Director of the African American Studies Program at The University of Florida’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Talking Mural Painting with Cadex Herrera
Tuesday, JUNE 29 | 2pm - 3pm
Hosted by the Florence Griswold Museum
The Big Picture: Painting Murals to Inspire Change
A conversation between Cadex Hererra, Eddie Long, and Jac Lahav.
Artist Cadex Herrera is a multi-disciplinary artist bringing awareness to humanitarian, social, and environmental injustices. He is a portrait painter and muralist. Hererra recently participated in a mural honoring George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Eddie Long and Jac Lahav are members of the recently formed group Public Art For Racial Justice Education. Their upcoming Sister Mural project will create 4 murals in the neighboring towns of Old Lyme, New London, Norwich, and East Lyme. These public artworks will focus on history, equity, and inclusion. This event will be a conversation between Cadex Herrera and members of PARJE with a focus on murals and how art can be used to encourage social change.
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON
UPCOMING:
Wednesday, JULY 14 | 6pm - 7pm
Hosted By the Lyman Allyn Museum
Amalia Amaki - Atlanta-born artist, curator, critic and educator, whose art explores the lives and culture of African women of the Diaspora.
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON