Black Lives Matter mural creation event on Sunday

Members of the community are invited to join #Black Lives Matter frontline artist painters from Stamford and the vicinity for the creation of a Black Lives Matter mural painting event in downtown Stamford on Sunday.

Picture That, an art consultancy, is the official curator of the Black Lives

Matter street mural, which will be created in front of Ferguson Library Plaza on Broad Street.

Valerie A. Cooper, founding owner of the Stamford-based business, is spearheading the event. “We quickly assembled 16 African-American, Fairfield County-based artists to serve as the frontline creative team members for the project.”

The frontline artists are primarily from Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk and Bridgeport. They will direct the artistic rendering of each B-l-a-c-k L-i-v-e-s M-a-t-t-e-r letter. In addition, the community at large will collectively help paint each letter throughout the day in 30-minute intervals, beginning at 3 p.m.

“Our goal is to use protest art as a peaceful vehicle to stand against the systemic racism and injustice that African-Americans face in today’s society. One of the best things about protest art is that it kicks off a healthy dialogue

of opinions. It allows us to advance causes that are important and voice our uniqueness, but, simultaneously, connects us on an emotional level and reminds us of our innate connection,” Cooper said in a news release.

The activities include a mindfulness/meditation presented by Slohaus at 10:30 a.m., followed by

the opening ceremonies at noon. There will be BLM Chalk Art for kids and families from 1 to 5 p.m., along with a BLM book sale presented by Friends of the Ferguson Library Bookstore, also from 1 to 5 p.m. There also will be storytimes at 2 and 4 p.m. with Josephine Anderson, supervisor South End Branch and Bookmobile. At 5 p.m., there will

be a poetry slam/spoken word program presented by Slohaus. From 4 to 9 p.m. there will be music and mural painting. The rain date is July 26.

Those interested in painting can visit www.picturethatart.com/blm or call 203-351-8224. Masks are required and safety distancing guidelines must be followed.

The Black Lives Matter street mural and event is sponsored by The Ferguson Library and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Donations in kind are provided by Stamford Downtown Special Services District (SDSSD); Domus; New England Donor Services, Inspirica and 100 Black Men of Stamford.