Hope, Healing, Advocacy

& The Future Of Art In Columbus

By Sarah Algoe

It is truly exhilarating to be at the forefront of an artistic movement, especially in a city in the midst of cultural revitalization. Several of the women leading this movement, Hannah Israel, Becca Zajac, and Sherricka Day, have formed a group known as Advocacy Through Art, and have taken it upon themselves to advocate for more public art in Columbus.

It is this indomitable team that spearheaded the creation of the Hope, Healing and Community mural adorning the Talbotton Road retaining wall below the Ronald McDonald house.

Hope, Healing and Community

Mural Artist Thomas “Detour” Evans

It is their mission to create safe spaces for art to thrive in our community. Yet it is not just art they seek to champion, but also diversity. “For me, when I look at the people who are represented in that mural, I see humanity. Different nationalities, different ages, professions, and simply, differences. Seeing those faces on the wall together represents unity and hope to me. The hands in the middle pull it all together. We’re all looking forward to something, hoping for something to happen in our lives,” Day said.

The mural’s artist, Thomas “Detour” Evans, was initially pitched by Zajac, and it was obvious from the start he was the right choice for this project. “We felt like he would be a good fit for what we were trying to capture,” Day said. “His art is very colorful. He always puts subjects into his art that are from the community. He doesn’t just paint, he gets the stories of the subjects, gets to know them, and pulls their experience into his art. Local photographer, Sammie Saxon was kind to take the actual pictures to be used, we were trying to represent the community there, it felt like they were the best fit.”

Channu Harris

Photo by Sammie Saxon

Evans chose five individuals from the Rose Hill area in Waverly Terrace to feature in the mural. The installation begins with Channu Harris and Tramal Davis II, students from Fox Elementary, and continues on to Dr. Gurkeerat Singh from Piedmont hospital. Past the open hands, representing kindness and community, is Angie Wright, a local kitchen manager from Meals on Wheels. Next to her is Mickey Webb, a Vietnam veteran, and finally Rebecca Hubbard, a woman who preaches the gospel to passersby on Hamilton Road.

One of the reasons the project came to mind was a realization that public art was largely missing from the Columbus landscape, and it didn’t seem like the city was making it a priority. Day explained, “when we started, it seemed like a great idea. The idea sparked from what happened in 2020 with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. You started to see cities recognize that, and you’d see them put up public art as a rallying cry to move forward.”

Hannah Israel, Sherricka Day, Becca Zajac

Yet most of the art around Columbus is on private property. “There really isn’t any precedent for public art on public property,” says Day. “We want to foster creativity and innovation and diversity, and a lot of the subjects and movements are happening now.” With fastidious negotiation and unmatched diplomacy, it was only a matter of time before the advocates were successful in their petition to the city council.

Tramal Davis II

Photo by Sammie Saxon

“It was a breath of fresh air when we were able to see the mural come to life. It’s all in how you approach things. It could have been a huge argument, but instead we took some of the feedback into consideration so we could come to a happy medium. Once it was up and we saw how excited people were about it, I knew we had done the right thing. Now that we are where we are and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback, we feel like we are going to see more public art in the future,” Sherricka said.

When asked where she sees the art community going in the next five to ten years, Day said, “I think this is a stepping stone. I see a lot more public art out there.

Dr. Gurkeerat Singh

Photo by Sammie Saxon

Different statues and pieces, but I see it as a launch for this movement toward having more art in the community. Especially outside of the downtown area. That area is welcoming and vibrant, and is more of a pocket of what we want everything else to look like. I think we’re going to see a wave of art projects and pieces that everyone can enjoy, and perhaps even attract visitors to the area.”

Angie Wright

Photo by Sammie Saxon

Day also wants projects like this to give some hope to local artists that this community supports local artists, so they don’t feel the need to move away for success.

“I’m hoping that it also keeps more of our artists here, that we can have projects here to motivate them so they can have a career behind it,” she said. “It’s discouraging - people pack up and leave to find a community that will embrace them and provide them with more opportunities, and I’m looking forward to seeing Columbus be able to offer that.”

Mickey Webb

Photo by Sammie Saxon

Day, Zajac, and Israel’s initiative expands into a project called Columbus 2025. “I feel like a lot of people aren’t aware of the initiative, but basically the whole mission is to move Columbus forward and intended to connect our community through three pillars: jobs, talent and place, this project falls under Place” Day said.

Rebecca Hubbard

Photo by Sammie Saxon

The project includes the installation of five more murals, with hopeful completion by the second quarter of 2023. It is the goal of this project to connect artists in our community with opportunities, and to bring creative life to our city. For artists who wish to get involved, head over to Columbus2025.com. They will be compiling a database for future projects as well.

In the meantime, make sure to give a drive by the Hope, Healing and Community Mural. We are sure you’ll find it as breathtaking as we do.

Hope Healing and Community Mural