BLACK AMERICAN
Community Mural
ZOOM Design Meetings Happening Now!
Join Us!
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Project Overview
This mural will be created to depict the history, personal experiences, and vision for the future of the Black community in South Omaha. The story of this community is often overlooked in the understanding of Black History in Omaha and in the history of South Omaha. Many influential leaders came from this area, like Roweena Moore who was instrumental in improving workers rights in the meat packing plants and who founded the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. The neighborhood we will be focusing on is the Highland South/Indian Hills area. Research is currently being done by the Southside Redevelopment Corporation to understand the needs of the community for new housing. We want to ensure that the stories of the neighborhood are seen and heard amidst a time of great change for the area. Our mural will lift up voices of the past and present to celebrate the culture and contributions of this essential community of South Omaha.
Check out our informational poster and feel free to download, print, and share. Help us reach more neighbors!
GOALS
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Amplify Black voices and talent in Omaha
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Create a public space for this story to be seen and represented
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Create a beautiful and deeply meaningful work of art
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Have public discourse about the history and experiences of the community
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Imagine what the future of the neighborhood looks like, with redevelopment on the horizon
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Be invitational to what is needed and wanted by the community
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Use experimental mural creation techniques
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Maintain safe Covid-19 practices
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
In order for this project to be successful, we will need to have strong community partners. We have already met and worked with over 50 neighbors living in and near Highland South/Indian Hills neighborhoods. If you live in this area and have stories to share about the Black American Community living there, we would love to hear from you. We have artists ready to have a conversation on the phone, invite you to a small gathering, or host a zoom call.
Your voice is necessary!
| 402.871.1017
Our Artist Team
Lead Designer
Contributing Artists
Jeremiah Neal
Joelle Wellansa Sandfort
Ang Bennett
Aaryon "Bird" Williams
Pamela Conyers Hinson
Supporting Artists
Rebecca Harrison
Hugo Zamorano
Richard Harrison
Mike Giron
Jair Rodriguez
Daniel "Sedra" Castaneda
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
THE TELAporter
We have re imagined our previous mural making models. Instead of meeting indoors at public gathering places in large numbers, we will be doing targeted small outdoor workshops in order to keep particpants and artists safe. We will be able to accomplish this by using our TELAporter, a van equipped with mural workspaces that can be set up quickly in a parking lot or driveway. We will paint on Polytab, a versatile mural fabric, that can be painted offsite and then installed onto a wall at a later date. These workshops will be led by the lead designer and contributing artists. The workshops will target a small block radius with less than 10 neighbors participating at each event. We will have gloves and masks available to all participants and our activities will be coordinated so as to keep us 6 feet apart at all times. We want to ensure the safety of our community and our artists.
PARTNERS
South Omaha Historical Fund
South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance
Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund