February 25, 2021
In honor of Black History Month, we recognize the HCDI residents, partners, and staff, who transformed the corner of Bay Street and Oak Grove Ave with vibrant mural art that celebrates local civil rights history.
The project began at Springfield College in the spring of 2019 when HCDI youth leaders and residents visited Jessica Poser’s Arts in the Community class and shared their experiences of living in the Bay neighborhood.
“They asked us about our background, what black history meant to us, and the experiences we’ve had,” Amber Kinzie, Bay neighborhood resident said. She said it was inspiring to hear their interest in black history.
The result — to utilize civil rights photos from 1960s Springfield, reproducing them in mural form as colorful and eye popping 1960s poster art. A celebration of the neighborhood and a way to share common history and successes. “Every time I drive by, I feel like [the murals] become more a part of the city,” Kinzie said. “This is us…we don’t have to hide our history…this makes us feel good and makes us feel real.”
With Poser’s guidance, HCDI resident youth leaders projected the archival photos onto mural paper and drew outlines. They learned about 1960s poster art style, color theory, and how to use colors to create energy.
“They worked hard on the paintings,” Poser said. The youth leaders created their own colors, and painted the murals over the course of a few sessions together.
“It was really cool,” said Ariel Arroyo, HCDI youth leader, “They didn’t give us instructions.” She loved that she could be free with her painting. She chose colors that complemented the hues that her peers had painted.
Brian Medina, HCDI youth leader, said, “It was fun, it’s a new experience, I’ve never painted like that before.”
When the murals were complete, residents and staff gathered for the tricky job of adhering the artwork onto the bay street building windows. They painted industrial glue onto the backs of the murals, and with tall ladders, teamwork, patience, and diligence, the murals were successfully displayed.
When asked why they were excited to be a part of this project, both Medina and Arroyo emphasized the impact it has on that corner of the neighborhood. “It’s big, you can’t really miss it if you’re walking by or driving by,” Arroyo said, “It’s cool to…see all of the historical events.”
Medina said, “We wanted [people to say] ‘Oh wait — hold up!’…It’s more than a simple painting!” Medina is proud that he was part of a project that displays such an important part of Springfield history. “Big mural, big message,” he said.
And after completing the project Kinzie said, “This makes me feel a part of something much bigger than a city, I feel a part of the world as a whole… not just with art, but with culture, community, love, and different races.”
