15 May Golden Blocks Mural Ribbon Cutting May 26, 2023
Golden Blocks Mural Ribbon Cutting on May 26
Ribbon Cutting for “Women of Empowerment” Mural and Celebration of Lucky Spot Neighborhood Corner Store at 1119 James Brown Boulevard
A ribbon cutting and business opening celebration will be held Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:00 am for the newest Golden Blocks mural, “Women of Empowerment”, located at 1119 James Brown Boulevard, the recently renovated space now home to The Lucky Spot, neighborhood corner store.
Guest speakers include Mayor Garnett Johnson, Senator Charles W. Walker, Commissioners Jordan Johnson and Francine Scott, Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse, RCBOE Board Member Shawnda Griffin, Housing & Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher, Jr., Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Executive Director Corey Rogers, Greater Augusta Arts Council Project Manager Pax Bobrow, and Mural Artist Salonika Rhyne.
The Golden Blocks project highlights the rich cultural legacy of the historically Black neighborhoods of Laney Walker and Bethlehem, in public spaces, inviting lifelong residents, newcomers, and visitors to enjoy the revitalization of the area while celebrating its past. It is an ongoing collaboration between the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, and Augusta Housing & Community Development (AHCD), with this mural made possible through support by the Walker Group, which owns the building where the mural is located. This project is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
As part of this project, local muralist Salonika Rhyne was commissioned through a competitive call for art to create a mural, titled “Women of Empowerment”, celebrating six women leaders in education in the historic Golden Blocks of Augusta. These include Ursula E. Collins, Rosa C. Tutt, Marjorie B. Carter, Margaret L. Laney, Rosa T. Beard, and Ruth B. Crawford.
Mayor Garnett Johnson stated, “I’m elated to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the ‘Women of Empowerment’ mural and The Lucky Spot corner store. As a native East Augustan and small business owner, I’m proud of the revitalization and growth happening in the Laney Walker corridor.”
Golden Blocks project leaders have provided the following statement: “It is through the marriage of public history and public art in Augusta that our missions support each other to promote vibrant art, history and neighborhood reinvestment.”
The ribbon cutting will take place at The Lucky Spot, which is located at 1119 James Brown Boulevard, and is open Mon-Sat 8am-11pm and Sun 9am-11pm, serving the surrounding neighborhood with daily essentials.
Find out more about the Golden Blocks Project at https://lucycraftlaneymuseum.com/golden-blocks/.
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Media Contact: Rhian Swain, RedWolf – [email protected] 706-414-3116