Friday, June 23, 2023

Largest Mural in Mississippi Unveiled on Museum Trail

The Moore Media Group issued the following press release.

 The Museum Trail unveiled its newest public art installation today featuring the largest mural in Mississippi. “A Journey Through Jackson” was designed and installed by local artist, Gavin Bird. The mural spans 478 feet along the trail in Belhaven Heights Park.





“The trail is practical, but we also want it to be beautiful,” said David Pharr, Jackson Heart Foundation Board Member. “By partnering with local artists for public art commissions, we can give the trail a personal, creative touch that will make the experience of traveling along it even more enjoyable. We’ve seen trails like this in other cities help by physically connecting the city, but we’ve also seen all of the opportunities they create for public art displays to help beautify the city at the same time. This beautiful, massive new mural is just another reason to visit the Museum Trail.”


‘A Journey Through Jackson’ captures the beauty, eclectic nature, and the power of our great city,” said artist Gavin Bird. “To have a canvas this large has given me the artistic freedom to tie in all the key subjects and landmarks that needed to be included to properly tell the story. The opportunity to paint this project on the Museum Trail has been an honor.”




The new mural was led and supported by the Jackson Heart Foundation and Red Dot Storage. The Museum Trail is Jackson’s first multi-use trail system, located in the heart of the city.

Organizers broke ground on Phase II of the trail last week, and with its completion the Museum Trail will span from Belhaven to Downtown Jackson to the LeFleur Museum District with a goal of extending the trail to connect eight museums while enhancing the quality of life and making Jackson a pedestrian-friendly city.




“Jackson Heart Foundation is committed to the Museum Trail as our leading project,” said Harper Stone, Jackson Heart Foundation Chairman. “We hope this trail will provide people in the community with a beautiful outlet for exercising and improving their cardiovascular health. We are grateful to have Gavin Bird, a talented local artist, add to the natural beauty surrounding the trail with his mural which truly captures our state capitol, and what it is all about!”

The new mural, “A Journey Through Jackson,” can be accessed through Belhaven Heights Park. To learn more about the Museum Trail, visit their website or connect with them on Instagram or Facebook.





39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Graffiti soon-

Anonymous said...

Can someone explain pic # 1 ?

Anonymous said...

Enough with murals already. Gees, the whole damn city is becoming one big graffiti piece. How many busted streets or potholes could have been fixed with this money. This city is a joke. This is like putting a little star sticker on a big turd while the toilet is clogged and overflowing.

hiltopa said...

That guy does amazing work. So glad to ride by it on my commute to work downtown.

Anonymous said...

Jackson Heart Foundation: Our Mission to lead the fight against heart disease in our local community through education, prevention, and early detection.

So, your contributions paid for mural?

Anonymous said...

Great for the city!

Anonymous said...

My god that is f’ing ugly.

Want to do something nice? Whack out the murals in Vicksburg.

Anonymous said...

Mount Flushmore!

Could have at least lined up the heads in chronological order.

Anonymous said...

https://www.themuseumtrail.com/

The trail is so lame they use a photo from a trail in another city!!!

Anonymous said...

It's so relatable.

Anonymous said...

Those people look very unhappy to be on a mural in Jackson.

Anonymous said...

Hideous

Anonymous said...

I lived in Jackson years ago. I go there twice a year for doctors appointments. Any chance I will accidentally ride by this insignificant worthless “art” show next visit?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, kingfish. Nice, positive story.

Anonymous said...

If this is in that deserted park on the corner of I 55 and Lakeland Drive, it will be viewed by as at least 500 people a year. Another worthless expense by the city, and or the state. Of course this assumes there no kickbacks being enjoyed.

Anonymous said...

Attn 3:48 PM We are glad you enjoy this mural going to work down town, because you might be the last person working downtown.

Anonymous said...


What Greater Jackson Arts Council's Limite4d Edition Keith Haring Fitness Court doing?

Anonymous said...

Some of these people don’t like the mural, as if they believe that they could have done a better job. Seeing what I’ve seen from this group, I think they’re mad that it’s not just a bunch of confederate flags painted on the side of the building

Anonymous said...

Anybody who can just pick up a paint brush in this, the current age, is an artist now. Damn, that’s ugly.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kingfish for posting this because this is the only way I will ever see this. It is just a matter of time before the graffiti art is covered with real graffiti, if it hasn’t already been done. I always wonder if Jackson looked as bad as it does now when Gen Ulysses Grant gutted it in the civil(?) war.

Anonymous said...

Tale as old as time: one loves a work of art that another hates. If only the discussion could take place in real life over wine & cheese … With tea and non-dairy snacks, for those who dont/can’t partake.

Anonymous said...

Gratuitous prominence - kowtowing in its hierarchy - propaganda.

Anonymous said...

For people who supposedly don’t care anything about Jackson, y’all sure do seem obsessed about commenting on anything jackson. I like the mural.

Anonymous said...

Just stopped by to be sure you dummies were attempting to turn this feel good story into bad thing. Well done, as always. Thanks for the chuckle. Enjoy what’s left of the weekend (not that you’re capable of happiness).

Anonymous said...

June 24, 2023 at 5:36 AM -- It's FUGLY. As would be any racist stereotype that you can bring up. But, thank you for sharing your bigoted opinion.

Anonymous said...

You know, there's such a thing as ART BOOKS. People from homes where there aren't any, can find them in places they call "libraries" - not that Jackson places any value on libraries.

Art books show what murals CAN be. Some are painted on the walls of prehistoric caves. Some are from ancient civilizations. ALL of them look a hell of a lot better than that monstrosity. Even the murals from Communist Russia look better. Those, at least, were well-rendered, and tended to be monochromatic (red, mostly...).

Anonymous said...

10:14 You do know your on the “Jackson” jambalaya page, right?? Yes, expect comments about Jackson.

Anonymous said...

The mural is actually major cool! it is the longest mural in the state too! i don't live in jackson but i do want jackson to improve. the museum trail is a good way to get people off their sofas and out walking or biking. it can't hurt.

Anonymous said...

12:20, I think it was named JJ before the city totally imploded. Maybe a name change is in order. Metro-area Jambalaya? Jackson and the Burbs Jambalaya? .

Anonymous said...

Most murals are ugly pieces of propaganda, this likewise is offensive.

Anonymous said...

Public art, including street murals, lift many people's spirits and can inspire.

Unfortunately, some of the readers on this page don't seem to be able to see past their own crusty dark souls to notice beauty in the world around them.

Anonymous said...

Is it true that Jackson’s beloved mayor authorized paying $25,000 for this beautiful art?

Anonymous said...

It’s cool. Why be jack asses?

Anonymous said...

Attn 6:43 PM, What is wrong with spending $25,000.00 on worthless graffiti? The city is apparently flush with money. We don’t need drivable roads, running “drinkable” water, streets with pot holes with weeds growing out of them, drag racing on the interstates, police who could care less about arresting criminal because they know they will be released before they finish the paper work. On the brighter side, housing prices are some of the cheapest (with the exception of Detroit Michigan.) in the USA. Thank you Mayor, wherever you are currently on a paid vacation.

Anonymous said...

Attn 6:23 Jackson can afford &25,000.00 for graffiti. We have eliminated crime, homelessness, murders, robberies, assaults, homeless sleeping in deserted buildings, pot holes, water systems that don’t work, toilet which will not flush, etc. I don’t know what your problem is????

Anonymous said...

6:47pm
Whereas Jackassery is part of the mission statement here, that mural and the wall it's on could have been an island of wildflowers that did not stop the breeze or hide thieves nor poison the mind with propaganda.

Anonymous said...

Y’all can hate on literally anything can y’all? I feel so very sorry for anyone that has to live with y’all.

Something good happened in Jackson. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

5:47 PM, maybe the mural is nice but when you have to drive down streets with potholes large and deep enough to plant trees in or open sewer lines or dead bodies just to look at it most people will think there would be a much better use for the money.

Anonymous said...

How many who contributed to the 'Jackson Heart Foundation', thinking their donation would go toward research, knew it would go to the painting of a wall totally unrelated to the purpose of the non-profit?

I remember the mayor of Canton, about three years ago, vetoing a number of murals because (he claimed), they did not 'represent the struggle'.

What possible value, in the most remote of imaginings, can this mural have as relates to heart health?


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