GLENVILLE, Ohio — A mural commissioned by the City of Cleveland and LAND Studio is being painted on a basketball court in the city's Glenville neighborhood. It’s a project two years in the making that is finally coming together.
What You Need To Know
- A mural is being painted on a basketball court in Glenville
- The artists painting it are mr.soul and Christa “Freehands”
- The Glenville neighborhood is historically known for poverty, crime and urban decay
- The artists are hoping the mural beautifies the area and inspires youth in the community
Mr.soul 216, a local artist, and his mentee, Christa “Freehands” Childs, are bringing it to life.
“A lot of public art doesn't make it to these communities,” said Kevin Harp, who goes by mr.soul. “And so it's an honor and a privilege for me to be the vessel to be able to communicate to people through projects like these.”
The colors red, black, green and gold are the foundation for the mural, all colors, he said, represent African American culture.
“It speaks to our trials, tribulations, sufferings, our successes and accomplishments, our value, our history,” said mr.soul. “In terms of the colors, the red represents the bloodshed of the people for their freedom, the black represents the people, the green represents the land and the gold is interchangeable; depending on culturally how it’s used. It represents royalty, the sun, light.”
Below each free throw line, he plans to paint the face of a child and put words of positive affirmations.
“I am free, I am gifted, I am powerful, I am original,” said mr.soul. “And so when people come out to the court and hoop I want to remind them of who they are, and I want them to play around colors that represent their culture. It's a way to stimulate their subconscious mind.”
Glenville is one of Cleveland's most visible examples of poverty, crime and urban decay, an image mr.soul wants to help change.
“It's really about using art and design as a vehicle to inspire the city. But more importantly too, in the process of doing that, to kick connect with young creatives who need role models and creative fields,” said mr.soul.
He said art sparks conversations and opens doors, and he and Freehands want to showcase opportunities to kids in the community.
“A lot of the time, especially when it comes to the inner city, communities like these are overlooked. And it's thought that oh, you know, kids in the hood don't really care about art, or they're not interested. But it's not that they're not interested or don't care about it. They're not given any true creative avenues, and they're not shown that, hey, you can get paid for doing stuff like this,” said Freehands. “I really hope that children walking through here, coming by playing on the court, get to experience this and see that hey, I can do something besides rap or hoop or you know, it's other ways that I can express my creativity and there are other ways that I can make money, and art is a great way of making money.”
They said public art can have a deep psychological effect on people's minds. They want the mural to uplift and inspire kids and adults alike.
“My hope is that when kids come out and play, and even adults, but mostly kids who come out here and play, that they’re reminded that they are these things and that they’ll travel through life inspired by these things,” said mr.soul.
The mural is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. For more information on Mr. Soul and his art click here. For more information on Christa Freehands and her art, click here.