Shaun Thurston Mural Installation Begins at Chamblin's
Downtown Jacksonville will soon be bragging about another public art installation. Muralist Shaun Thurston was commissioned to create a mural on Chamblin's Uptown bookstore on Laura Street and work has begun. Join us after the jump for more details about the project and the artist!
The mural is part of Downtown Vision, Inc.’s (DVI) Laura Street Facade Grant Program, a matching grant program established in 2011 to provide economic incentive for property and business owners to improve building facades and storefronts. DVI and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville selected Thurston, also known for his murals in 5 Points.
“Public art is one of the simplest ways to restore an area and create a sense of place that is inviting and engaging,” said Terry Lorince, executive director of DVI. “We’re fortunate to have so many talented artists in (Jacksonville) who want to contribute to the revitalization of Downtown.”
Shaun Thurston is one of Jacksonville's most prolific and talented street artists and has several notable murals, including the five points mural. He keeps a studio at the CoRK complex (Corner of Roselle and King) and was one of the two artists responsible for the "Urban Core" mural on the Burrito Gallery Building.
Shaun at CoRK
He was also very involved in the early public art of Springfield in 2002 and his work can be seen all over riverside. For more about some of his wonderful work check out his website at: https://www.shaunthurston.com
Installation began this weekend on the permanent mural, featuring a fusion of nature and the urban environment. This mural will complement four murals being installed Downtown on the Yates Garage by the Cultural Council’s Art in Public Places program in concert with the City of Jacksonville.
The owner of Chamblin's Uptown, said, “When visitors see the transformation we’re making on Laura Street, just through a few simple beautification projects, they’re going to realize that Downtown really is a great place to visit.”
Chamblin has also used this grant money to install umbrellas, tables and chairs and create sidewalk cafe seating along the sidewalk in front of his location. Also through DVI’s Laura Street Facade Grant Program, the Jacksonville Bank building has installed colorful awnings and Wells Fargo just completed a landscape project to add greenery to the streetscape.
Artist, Shaun Thurston
Check out our coverage of Shaun and learn more about street art in our previous coverage: https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jun-what-is-street-art-why-is-it-around-jax-street-art
Source: Downtown Vision, Inc.
About Downtown Vision, Inc.
Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) is a dynamic, not-for-profit, 501(c)6 organization tasked with building and maintaining a healthy and vibrant Downtown. Created by commercial property owners through a self-assessment and governed by a board representing Downtown property owners, DVI administers a 90-block Downtown Improvement District to provide a multitude of services over and above what the City of Jacksonville provides: cleaning and safety via the Downtown Ambassador program; activation with more than 50 event days annually, like the award-winning First Wednesday Art Walk; marketing, communications and partnerships; comprehensive information resources and ombudsman services; stakeholder support and advocacy; and business retention and attraction support. For more information, visit downtownjacksonville.org.