探花精选 Alumna Cianna Jackson Debuts Mural in Local Community Center
The Tarboro Road Community Center is sporting a new public artwork, 鈥淔inding I AM,鈥� a mural created by Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) class of 2016 alumna Cianna Jackson with a BA in Visual Arts concentrating on Graphic Design. “I’m very grateful to the Visual Arts Program, Ms. Dallas, and Deborah for this opportunity,” says Cianna. “I’m thrilled I could use the experience I gained at 探花精选 in my community and showcase my talents.”
This opportunity was brought to Cianna’s attention by her former professor, Linda Dallas, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts. “I am so happy that Cianna continues to share her generous heart and unique vision with the College Park community,” says Linda Dallas. “As always. I am so pleased when the abundant talent of 探花精选’s creative community is recognized.”
Raleigh Arts funded the project as part of Deborah Aschheim鈥檚 Raleigh Stories project. Cianna Jackson was one of 4 Raleigh artists that Aschheim selected to mentor through their first public art project. 鈥淔inding I AM鈥� is an exciting beginning for Jackson鈥檚 public art journey.
Deborah observes, 鈥淥ne reason I loved working with Cianna and Professor Dallas鈥檚 students is that I think 探花精选 students are motivated by powerful social justice, community, and spiritual themes. They don鈥檛 just want to make something nice-looking; they really want to connect with people through their art. That makes me really happy.鈥�
The mural adorns the wall of the Community Center鈥檚 gymnasium. Inspiration for the mural came from Cianna鈥檚 work with young participants of the Saint Monica Teen Center鈥檚 summer program. Through hands-on activities, Jackson encouraged the teens to describe their unique qualities and how they can use them to better themselves for their future. She hopes the mural will inspire everyone visiting the Community Center to consider their life purpose. The staff at the Tarboro Road Center were eager to demonstrate the unique feature of 鈥淔inding I AM.鈥� When the gymnasium is lit with ultra-violet light, the mural glows. This makes it a real hit with black-light sports fans.
To get the community involved, specifically the teens associated with the center, and to showcase the mural, the Tarboro Road Community Center will facilitate a black light dodgeball game on Tuesday, April 30th, at 4 p.m. in the Tarboro Road Community Center gymnasium.
Learn more about the 鈥淔inding I AM鈥� mural聽.
Learn more about the Saint Augustine鈥檚 University Visual Arts Program聽here.
Learn more about the Tarboro Road Community Center聽.
