LOCATION: This permanent mural will be located on the west wall of North Nashville’s Looby Community Center at 2301 Rosa L Parks Blvd. It is in District 2 (Councilmember Kyonzté Toombs).

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SCHEDULE: The completed mural, painted on mural cloth by the artist, is currently being installed by Metro Arts' art handler. Installation is expected to be completed in late May. A dedication event will be held this summer.

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STAKEHOLDERS: This public artwork is a collaborative partnership between Metro Arts and site owner Metro Parks with funding from the 2022 Bordeaux North Nashville participatory budget. 

BACKGROUND: As part of the 2022 Bordeaux North Nashville participatory budget process, residents proposed city improvement projects that were included on a ballot. Residents casted more than 3,000 votes, and the Participatory Budgeting steering committee reviewed and adopted 11 projects, including a mural for the Looby Community Center and Library.

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STAKEHOLDERS: This public artwork is a collaborative partnership between Metro Arts and site owner Metro Parks with funding from the 2022 Bordeaux North Nashville participatory budget. 

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ARTWORK DESIGN: The mural is inspired by Z. Alexander Looby’s life and accomplishments, his pursuit of justice, and his enduring national legacy. The design includes many of his fellow freedom fighters and changemakers: Grafta Mosby Looby-Westbook, James Carroll Napier, Avon Williams Jr., Flournoy Coles, Diane Nash, Coyness Ennix, Kwame Lillard, Thurgood Marshall, Lutie Lytle, Prince Albert Ewing, and Taylor G. Ewing Sr. Titled They Fought with Words: Leaders, Lawyers and Educators, the vibrant mural measures 20' x 95' and covers most of the west wall of the community center. 

 

ARTIST TEAM: Metro Arts commissioned Nashville's Creative Girls Rock for this project. Lead artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik (she/her) is an artist and international award-winning tattooist who combines her multidisciplinary artwork with community purpose. Her artistry includes graphic design, anime, fine art and dimensional sculpting. Her work has shown at The Frist Museum, Columbia State, The Ha Factory, Boheme Collectif, and Corvidae Gallery. Her public murals have become landmarks across Nashville’s streetscapes and civic spaces. https://queenbeeink.com/

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Guiding the mural’s artistic development is Charmin Bates (she/her), founder and CEO of Creative Girls Rock, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving communities through creative arts, mental health and wellness, women’s empowerment and youth development. Since 2017, CGR has provided equitable opportunities to Nashville districts through artistic placemaking, scholarships, and creative programs. They continue to work intently with Metro schools, community centers, and other providers such as FiftyForward, to reach and embrace all demographics. https://www.creativegirlsrock.org

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CONNECT: For questions, email Masonya Osei at Masonya.Osei@Nashville.gov. To subscribe to Metro Arts e-newsletter, go to this link and sign up. Follow Metro Arts on Instagram @MetroArtsNash.