The Black Artists + Designers Guild Fuel The Imagination With New 'Futures Facing' Mural
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This year's Black History Month celebration continues with an exciting collaboration in the art world. Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) teamed with Lamar Advertising (a leader in outdoor advertising) and Lamar’s Colossal Media division for a new hand-painted mural in Brooklyn.
BADG is a non-profit that amplifies Black artists across the diaspora and cultivates an inclusive community, so a mural that honors creativity and imagination is only fitting. "Each year, Lamar uses our Out of Home network to honor the achievements and contributions of the African American community during Black History Month,” Sean Reilly, CEO of Lamar Advertising Company shared in a press release. "This year, we are excited to partner with the Black Artists + Designers Guild to share the brilliant work of their artist community, and to help deliver a reminder of the importance of inclusion and the need to build deeper connections within our communities among all people."
READ MORE: The Black Artists + Designers Guild On Taking Creative Action
Located on the corner of Berry Street and North 12th Street in the borough's Williamsburg neighborhood, the 20’ x 45’ hand-painted wallscape's vibrant hues (which reflect BADG's signature colors that are found in African textiles) and bold displays of empowering words like "Liberation" and "Activist" will catch the eye of onlookers passing by and is meant to spark conversation. BADG hopes this mural inspires deeper connection and collaboration within the Black creative community.
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"Through this collaboration, we set out to create a visual representation of Black imagination and collective action," BADG Founder Malene Barnett says. "This mural entitled 'Futures Facing' represents our BADG manifesto, the foundation for our action-oriented membership as we drive the industry toward equitable and inclusive spaces."
Kelly Peppers, president of Colossal Media, continues: "Colossal’s second collaboration with the Black Artists + Designers Guild is the perfect encapsulation of Start Today’s mission. Start Today is our initiative to deepen the connection with our community, amplify the important work of non-profit organizations and local activists, and demonstrate the power of public art in effecting change. We’re honored and proud to help bring this commanding artwork to a colossal scale."
