FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS
Rebecca Solverson, Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality, rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5564
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Lend a Hand(print) to the Black Lives Matter Mural in Tollefson Plaza
-- Community Members Invited to Add Their Handprints in Paint July 30 --
TACOMA, Wash. — Artists creating the colorful new mural at Tollefson Plaza invite community members to participate in the project, adding their handprints in paint to designated sections of the mural on July 30.
Volunteers will help guide participants in handprint painting from 10 AM - 2 PM, weather permitting. The event is free, and all ages and skill levels are welcome.
The BLM Mural Project Tacoma is a months-long effort to recognize the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the local Black community. Public surveys and focus groups ensured the community’s input was included in the mural design.
“The handprint element helps send the message that racial equality is a collective work in progress,” said Dionne Bonner, lead artist on the project.
Since late June, the team of artists has prepped the concrete stairs, transferred the design and painted elements of the mural. Local artist and project team members working with Bonner include Kenya Adams, Gwen Jones, Breyahna Monet, Brian Neal Sr., Tyirell Patterson and Charles Taylor.
The BLM Mural Project team expects to complete the mural in August.
Partners in the mural project include the City of Tacoma’s Human Rights Commission, Tacoma Arts Commission, and the Tacoma Art Museum, with funding support from the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Creates.
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