The 1,100-square-foot vaulted ceiling at the entrance to the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center is now home to the likeness of generations of BIPOC artists and activists in rich, bright acrylic paint.
Juniper Creative Arts’ latest mural, “The Wall of Respect: Luminaries of Justice and Liberation” took 11 months to assemble and features nearly 100 portraits.
Jennifer Herrera Condry is the creative director for Juniper Creative. Since 2017, this Vermont-based Black and Dominican family collective have been painting murals all over the state. She says this project is rooted in education.
“This mural itself feels like an encyclopedia for BIPOC folks,” Jennifer said. “You can come to this one space and learn so much that isn't even being taught in schools.”
Some of the most notable faces include Harriet Tubman, Burlington’s DJ A-dog, and the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, the segregated African American unit regiment that was stationed in Colchester, at Fort Ethan Allen.
Will Kasso Condry is a muralist with the group. He says the artwork only scratched the surface of how rich BIPOC history is.
“It's not just about people from outside of Vermont,” he said. “It's about celebrating the local heroes as well. You know, honestly, if we could have put like 20-30 more people, we probably would have.”
The mural will be open to the public by appointment starting in October.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or get in touch with reporter Marlon Hyde @HydeMarlon.
