Meridian Museum of Art Collective, Lauderdale County and city of Meridian officials and community leaders dedicated a colorful new entryway into the Queen City on Saturday with a ribbon cutting for a recently completed mural along the 26th Avenue underpass.
The mural, which stretches from one side of the underpass to the other, includes bright colors and shapes, with the words “Lauderdale County” on one side and “Meridian MS” on the other.
Leslie Carruth, a member of the Art Collective, which designed and created the mural, said the design is much more than it first appears. While abstract, the shapes and lines making up the mural are actually places in the city that have been manipulated into the flowing design.
The bright colors are also a nod to the area’s history, as artists chose to match colors from native African cloth in reference to the historc African American Business District sitting just east of the underpass’s north side.
“This was by far the biggest square footage mural that we’ve ever done, and it really could not have been done without the community days and our volunteers coming out and helping us,” she said.
Laura Carmichael, executive director of Visit Meridian, Lauderdale County’s tourism arm, said the new mural is a fantastic addition to the city. Visitors coming into Meridian love stopping and taking pictures with the colorful display.
“This is just evidence of the creative culture we have in our community, and Visit Meridian is so proud to be a part and the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors as well, and we just support you, and we want to be here for you,” she said. “You’re making an instagramable moment for our visitors. As they come into our community, they love to get pictures by these beautiful pieces of art.”
Helen Sims, membership director for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, said the Art Collective is not only making the city beautiful with its murals but also providing an avenue for future artists to discover their creativity. The collective held several community paint days welcoming volunteers to assist in painting the large mural.
“I just think that it gives us all inspiration, and I may not have this talent, but I can definitely celebrate it,” she said. “And I’m so thankful that we’re here today and this group of people that are big supporters and the fact that these artists are not only impacting us but generations to come in making our city beautiful.”
In addition to the 26th Avenue underpass, the Art Collective is also responsible for numerous murals throughout the community including the Temptations and Jimmie Rodgers on Fourth Street, a welcome mural off of 18th Avenue, a Beatles mural at Freddie’s Fine Spirits, a mural at Meridian Airport and private murals at Naval Air Station Meridian and Meridian Coca-Cola.
The group is currently working on a mural as part of an alleyway revitalization project between Weidmann’s Restaurant and the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation offices off 22nd Avenue.