'She's going to live forever:' East Jackson mural honors historic community figures

A new mural in East Jackson pays homage to decades of prominent leaders and their contributions to the community and history.

Located at East Chester Street on the wall of the Jackson-Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA), a ribbon-cutting to commemorate its official unveiling was held on July 17.

Intertwined with depictions of images like the Casey Jones train and the Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins, the mural features notable figures like Austin Merry, Gil-Scott Heron, Carl Perkins, Isaac Lane, and Shirlene Mercer.

Mercer, a trailblazer for change and the last living member of the civil rights "Freshman Four," passed in August 2023. Her daughter Tina, who was present for the ribbon cutting, says seeing the legacy of her mother being kept alive in Jackson is monumental.

"My mom had a non-profit organization and she planted a lot of seeds and so the fact that they're recognizing her even after those seeds are still growing and the community is still flourishing with all the good work that she did, so it's not in vain it still lives on through everyone in the community," Tina said.

"My heart is full with all of her accomplishments and the fact that she's going to live forever."

More: 'A special treat': Poets and artists featured at City Hall during Black History Month

More: Trenton tattoo shop raises money for childhood cancer: 'Tattoos for St. Jude'

Positioned across the street Parkview Prep Academy, the students who come and go from the school are among those who will see the mural almost daily. Mercer says she hopes it provokes the student's curiosity about who the individuals in the mural are and to learn the history of their contributions.

The artist, Juan Barroso, says curiosity already sparked for the children of the school i

"There were some kids that would come up on bicycles and I think they were inspired, first, by the fact that you can make money from artwork. I think the were also happy to see people of color on the walls, they were really happy about that," he said. "I think seeing how far the town has come as well would be inspiring for them."

Barroso spent 225 hours completing the project since he began the project in May.

A native of Princeton, Texas, Barroso moved to West Tennessee to pursue a pottery residency at Companion Gallery in Humboldt.

Barroso revealed that he typically works on a smaller scale, usually painting on a canvas size limited to the face of a mug. The Chester Street mural was his first large-scale commission.

With the money earned from the commission, Barroso is moving back to Princeton to open a pottery and painting studio of his own. As a parting note, he emphasized the importance of public art and the inherent quality of life it amplifies in the community.

"It can uplift people's moods, it can inspire people to pursue the arts seeing that it's possible, and overall it's just a lot of positive emotions involved even when it comes from sad topics or a sad history," Barroso said.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: 'She's going to live forever:' East Jackson mural honors historic community figures