Another street mural is being laid out on an Austin Street starting today. City officials say the words, Black Artists Matter, are being painted in East Austin along East 11th between Waller and Lydia Streets. The area was chosen because of its historic ties to the black community. The Austin Justice Coalition is supporting the mural and said it’s a statement, making it clear that the fight has just begun and they support those keeping the arts alive, specifically pointing to black artists.
Official Statement:
Capitol View Arts and the Austin Justice Coalition, with support from local artists and 70 volunteers from the Austin area, will paint a ‘Black Artists Matter’ mural on East 11th Street the morning of Thursday, June 18.
“For over nine years, Capitol View Arts has worked with urban artists, particularly in East Austin neighborhoods. In a city where the black population is overlooked, our purpose through this mural is to show continued support and acknowledgment of black artists and their contribution to Austin’s legacy and character,” notes Clifford Gillard, Founder and President of Capitol View Arts.
The two organizations selected the East 11th Street location, between Waller Street and Lydia Street, because of its history as the heart of the African-American community in East Austin. Several artworks will also be painted on Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, which is located on the same stretch of road.
The East Austin street mural follows the painting of a ‘Black Austin Matters’ mural on Congress Avenue earlier this week, a project led by the same organizations.
“We want the community to not only fight for justice, but do it in a city they find beautiful,” explains Gabi Pritchard, Community Outreach Coordinator for Austin Justice Coalition. “We’re doing this to make it very clear that this fight has just begun, and we are here to support those keeping the arts alive in our city — black artists. Art brings life and creativity into the movement, and we are here for it.”
The City of Austin will contract with Capitol View Arts in the amount of $55,000 as a part of the Economic Development Department’s Art in Public Places program. The funds will primarily be used to compensate local African-American artists economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for their participation on the murals. City departments also provided technical and operational support for both community-led murals to ensure safe installation of the murals in the roadway. This support is within department’s annual budgets.
The City of Austin shares the organizations’ commitment to racial equity and to improving city policies, practices, procedures and outcomes.
To give the community time to safely view the murals, traffic lanes on East 11th Street will be closed between Waller Street and Lydia Street beginning Thursday, June 18 morning through the night of Sunday, June 21. Congress Avenue from E. 6th Street to E. 9th Street will also remain closed through Sunday night. Commuters are advised to find alternate routes around the areas, but foot traffic is permitted.
