A ribbon cutting for Augusta’s newest mural was Friday, March 7.
Theron Cartwright’s “Golden Blocks: A Community Built on the Shoulders of Giants,” highlights the strength and vibrancy of our community, according to a news release.
“This project celebrates our rich cultural heritage and represents a collaborative effort to enhance our cityscape. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and community presentation will be graced by the presence of esteemed local community leaders, family members of the honored individuals, artist Theron Cartwright, and invited guests and friends,” the release said.
Among those featured in the mural are Jessye Norman, James Brown, Silas X. Floyd, the Rev. C.T. Walker and Frank Yerby.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council in partnership with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Augusta Housing and Community Development/City of Augusta, the Porter Fleming Foundation, and building owner Denzel Robinson of Fresh Startz & SOAR, partnered for the ceremony and community presentation.
The event, originally scheduled for Friday, January 24, 2025, was postponed out of concern for the health and safety of speakers, guests, vendors and staff due to inclement weather. A grand opening for the Fresh Startz, 1134 Laney Walker Blvd., followed the ribbon cutting.
“The vision for this extraordinary artwork was fostered by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum and the Committee for the Golden Blocks, who played instrumental roles in coordinating this effort. It is the newest in a series of public artworks created to honor Augusta’s African American heritage in the historic Laney-Walker and Bethlehem neighborhood. In addition, representatives from the Porter Fleming Foundation, who generously funded this large-scale mural as part of their commitment to supporting the arts and culture initiatives in Augusta, worked closely with the project development committee,” the release said.
Augusta Good News is an award-winning member of the Georgia Press Association. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
