Birmingham, AL
Activating a neighborhood hub with an intersection mural
The Project
The intersection of 8th Ave West and Center Street is an anchor point of mobility, social infrastructure, and history in the Smithfield neighborhood. It serves as the main thoroughfare between the neighborhood and downtown, connecting residents to A.H. Parker High School, Smithfield Court public housing, and the Smithfield Branch Library. To enhance this community gateway, local artist Lydia Walker was commissioned to activate the intersection with a large scale mural. Inspired by Smithfield’s vibrancy, resilience, and historical importance, she created a colorful mandala with the West African adinkra symbols for knowledge and beauty. In October, more than 120 volunteers came together to install the intersection mural during a “paint party” organized by Create Birmingham in partnership with the City of Birmingham. Upcoming improvements include enhanced lighting and sidewalk art around the Library plaza, a gathering place located on the northwest corner of the intersection, as well as a bus shelter to increase rider comfort and safety.
“Within many religions and spiritual practices, mandalas are created to establish sacred spaces and represent journeys. As Smithfield was sacred space for its black citizens dating back to the early 1900s, home to the city’s first library for black residents and first public high school for black students, this mural’s mandala represents the journey of Smithfield and the strides the black community took to establish safe spaces to grow, learn, and thrive.”
Lydia Walker, Artist
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
Asphalt Art Initiative grants Birmingham up to $25k (Bham Now, October 10, 2021)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
