Orchestrated Mural Tour Preview

Mural by artist Chris Clark

Artist Chris Clark makes this world a better place by spreading his love and his vision on prints and murals throughout our city. "This was one of the most challenging walls I've ever painted. The actual texture of the wall and all the obstacles that got in the way had me questioning if it would get done or not. Through it all, my friend @ofphoenix and I persevered and got it done in the end. I hope it brings joy and peace to the community and brightens the day of all who have the opportunity to experience it," artist Chris Clark.

About the song "JAMS Session"

Jacksonville Art and Music School created this playful track, this is the longest track on the tour and it features several musicians taking the spotlight with masterful solos. JAMS is a Creative Youth Development program with a mission to "empower the creative leaders of tomorrow." Through arts education, leadership development, trade, and technology training, instructors inspire Jacksonville's talented inner-city youth to become their wildest dreams. JAMS is under the direction of Jason Peoples.

Jaxoscope by artist Shashti O’Leary-Soudant has been a delightful prisim of optimism since its dedication in December of 2019. The painted stainless steel kaleidoscope forms are embedded with thousands of tiny led lights and was inspired by an initial conversation with Jacksonville residents during a Cultural Council panel with artists initially selected for several public art projects. The diverse audience raised the issue with the lack of diversity of the group of artists and she reached out for their input about how she could best represent their interests. She asked them to describe Jacksonville and one audience members replied that Jacksonville had its issues but said the community was a kaleidoscope of people and that became the inspiration for the work. Bob Self/Florida Times-Union

About the Song "Chip Away"

In 2013, guided a handful of plugged-in venue owners and event promoters to launch "The Elbow" at the inaugural One Spark Festival. The goal with the project was to draw attention to the many live performance venues, restaurants, and art galleries that had exploded in downtown Jacksonville. This district was anchored around West Forsyth St, where the Florida Theatre serves as the keystone of our downtown entertainment district. Following the very successful launch of The Elbow concept.

"Chip Away" describes the ebbs and flows of culture and how those tidal movements can weather our attitudes and habits. The song draws a metaphor of a ship that has been pulled into port for care but will sail again. Now, ten years after the release of the single by JacksonVegas, it's worth looking back on a decade of explosive creativity in our city. While much of the sheen and promises of that era were either not realized or lost entirely, so much has been preserved and even thrived over the subsequent decade. Downtown Jacksonville is a very special place and has been the cradle of so much wonderful artistry over the past century.

Performers

Grant Nielsen: Vocals & Guitar

Cyrus Quaranta: Piano

Ernie Douglass: Bass

Bea Gayle: Drums

Myrna Stallworth: Backup Vocals

Juanita Parkerurban: Backup Vocals

John Parkerubran: Lead Guitar

"The Roots that Ground Us" by artist Grace Bio

Local Filipano artist Grace Bio created this beautiful mural dedicated to Filipino Americans in Jacksonville titled "The Roots That Ground Us." Sponsored by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the piece itself was the brainchild of Jacksonville residents and Filipino Americans Philipp Aldana and Carmina Montesa Aldana, who also sponsored the commission."We all belong to this beautiful city," Montesa Aldana said at the mural's official opening. "Thank you for coming out today to celebrate the Asian Americans and [their rich contribution] to the vibrant cultural fabric of Jacksonville."

About the Song "Roots"

My name is Chē, a music artist in Jacksonville, Florida. I wrote Rooted about the relationship between human and Divine, the present and timeless. Those who we call on, who walked the earth before we experienced it, serving as a North Star. Inspired by Grace Bio, and her beautiful interpretation of Divine community within family and as a fellow part Filipina, I carry great pride in knowing that we honor our ancestors by continuing the work and connection through love, healing and relation. We may be far from our mother land, but It is our right and duty to maintain and reclaim our spiritual power, wherever we are.

May we never forget the magic all around us, reminding us that our paths are unique to us, prayed and protected by those we’ve always known. I’m honored to share this piece of music in collaboration with you all and hope you see your own journey in mine.

Asé

"The Guardian of the River" by sculptor Rafael Consuegra

The Sculpture is a feminine figure with wings. The woman represents maternity; the wings symbolize the liberty and freedom, the waiving arrow in her hands is pointing to the North meaning the direction of the river. The Guardian of the River was installed in 2017 by artist Rafael Consuegra who died in 2021.

About the song "Life"

Drumer John Lumpkin's original score "Life" was created in hope and courage to go and flow in faith. The loop of the guitar represents the consistency of water and the changing structures around it mirror the infinite possibilities of life. John Lumpkin created the Lumpkin Institute, teaching the next generation the history of America through jazz.

Snyder Memorial Church was recently renovated and reopened after being closed to the public for over 10 years. Let's all gather and worship together.

"Harp" mural by artist 2Alas

Sculpter Augusta Savage was born in Green Cove Springs, just south of Jacksonville. This mural depicts one of her most inspirational pieces, created for the 1939 World Fair in New York City. Inspired by the words from the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" written by James Weldon Johnson just a few blocks from here. Johnson and Savage were both key figures in the Harlem Renaissance in New York, how fitting that this piece is located next to James Weldon Johnson Park in their hometown of Jacksonville.

About the Song "Vibrate"

Muisician Willie Evans Jr is an original Dival hip-hop polymath has been creating music and cultivating the overall contemporary Southeastern rap scene for 25+ years and counting. His original piece speaks to the inspiration that Augusta received from James Weldomn Johnson and the lyrics speak to the inspiration that WE receive from both of them. The song is called "Vibrate".

Let's vibrate together in this special and meaningful space.

"Fauna and Flora" by artist James Reka

Is a contemporary Australian artist based in-between Berlin and Malta. His origins lie in the alleyways and train lines of Melbourne’s inner-suburbs where he spent over a decade refining his now-emblematic aesthetic. His figurative work has come to represent the beginnings of a new style of street art: clean, unique and not necessarily on the street (much to his mother’s joy). Surrealist, abstracted creatures emerge from the depths of Reka’s mind, communicating through strong lines, dynamic movement and bold colours. Theses figures haunt the laneways over four continents, clambering up brick walls and giving the urban environment a literal fresh coat of paint. Their personalities mirror those of their often-decrepit metropolitan context, opening a dialogue between the viewer and their surroundings. Fauna and Flora was created in November of 2016 by Reka, this is the largest installation ever created by Reka.

About the song "Big City" by Goliath Flores

The song is inspired by the scope and size of the mural. The music builds in a way that harmoniously swims along with the shapes and faces on the mural. The melody is subtly indigenous, inspired by the earth and now the buildings which now occupy this space. Just keep swimming through downtown, we hope you are discovering something new on the Orchestrated Mural Tour.

"Cows of Cowford" by artist Dave Nackashi

“The Cowford Cows” was commissioned by Downtown Vision and the Downtown Dwellers to enhance Corkscrew Park. This mural was completed in November of 2022 by local artist David Nackashi. The artist wanted to use this opportunity to highlight some of the original roots of the city. Before Jacksonville was Jacksonville it was known as “The Cow Ford”. When the Spanish Conquistadors came to Florida they brought a small breed cow with them, known now after becoming wild again in central Florida as “Florida Cracker Cattle”. Natives and settles would then herd these cows north through the Cow Ford.

About the Song "Calm Cows"

The music was created by Ryan DeBuys. Looking at the mural DeBuys felt a calm mellow vibe from the colors and wanted to make something that matched that feeling of these gentile giants in the water.

"Calling it Done" by sculptor Brian R Owens

This magnificent bronze and cast stone sculpture was created by Brian R Owens in 2024. The Artist Statement: "Calling it Done is a meditation on the bond of brotherhood, the vitality of youth and the peculiar satisfaction of lyrical and musical creation. It's as if the artist makes a contract with the artwork itself. In this contract, the artist agrees to plant a flag when the likeness is achieved and then press on to the more difficult terrain where every stroke is done in an attempt to elevate and transport you. In this case, to transport you into a moment shared by these two men.

About the Song "Lift"

Musician Cyrus Quaranta orchestrated the original score to honor this space. Composed on ukulele, this piece pays tribute to James Weldon Johnson's iconic "Lift E'Vry Voice and Sing", weaving the uplifting spiritual threads of gospel music with cinematic melancholy. The bittersweet nature of this interpolation reminds us of the challenges we've overcome and the work left to be done.

The sculpture is sponsored by the Chartrand Family Foundation. Supporting today’s children, young men and women with opportunities through sports and inspiration.

Blue Crest by artist Jim Benedict

Jim Benedict is an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. For this project, Jim worked with Lily Kuonen as well as Mico Fuentes. This was created in 2021 in collaboration with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.

About the Song "Blue" by Keith Kimball

"As we prepared for this composition, we found ourselves leaving the statue with only fragments of the artists inspiration to guide us, we focused on the recurring shapes- subtle shifts in color and direction- letting them inform our music. Our piece grew from a central theme, taking shape, evolving with different layers of instrumentation. Each sound added its own tone and movement, reflecting the subtle shifts we saw in the statue," Musician Keith Kimball.