North Memphis community members came together on a sunny Saturday afternoon celebrating the dedication of the mural "Slice 2.0 | We All Stars" at Gooch Park. Hosted by HUG Park Friends, Memphis City Beautiful, Parks Memphis, Bloom 901, and the UrbanArt Commission (UAC), the event was attended by both community members and excited young swimmers, many with popsicle smiles.
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The mural, created by the talented artist Jamond Bullock, was commissioned to continue his prior work on the building with a series of murals surrounding the pool house. Bullock's work has enhanced the community space with the aim of creating a local attraction for people to come enjoy and take pictures. Inspired by his experiences within the neighborhood, the artist incorporated images of boys shooting hoops, a girl examining her next chess move on the board of life, and lively swimmers enjoying a day at the pool in goggles and swimsuits.
The original pool house murals were nearly 30 years old. This project’s renewal of the space is an early sign of local officials’ plans for even more extensive work for Memphis City parks - a total overhaul of these cherished community spaces.
Event Highlights:
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Jamond Bullock and Jo Ann Street, a dedicated community organizer, cut the ribbon together. Both shared inspiring words about the project, with Bullock emphasizing his commitment to provide local residents with art that went above and beyond the call - something special to Gooch Park. Ms. Jo Ann spoke of Gooch Park’s history, highlighting the community's collective effort in bringing this project to life.
Remarks: Travis Washington, UAC Program Manager, praised Bullock's dedication, recounting how the artist painted in a snowsuit over the winter to ensure the mural's completion by summer. This dedication underscores the importance of the mural to the community and Bullock's unwavering commitment to this work of art.
Community Presence: The event was attended by representative Michalyn Easter-Thomas of District 7 and District 96 candidate Gabby Salinas. Representatives from HUG Park Friends, Memphis City Beautiful, Parks Memphis, and Bloom 901 were also in attendance, highlighting the collaborative spirit that made this project possible.
Community Treats: Bloom 901 generously provided free Mempops to everyone who attended the dedication, adding a cool, sweet touch to the sunny celebrations.
This mural dedication was a testament to the power of community collaboration and public art. Gooch Park has now become a place where "Slice 2.0 | We All Stars" stands as a symbol of this unity.
For more information about this event or the UrbanArt Commission, please contact Sisa Wang at sisa@uacmem.org.