Artist: Vega Dawson
Artistic Team: Vega Dawson, D Moore, Alicia Crowley & Anna Champagne
Description: This mural panel represents the historic progression of Blacks in Thurston County. Perseverance best describes this racial ethnic group of people who are mostly descendants of enslaved kidnapped Africans. From the founding of Tumwater in 1864 by pioneer George Bush to the present day, Blacks have contributed mightily to the Thurston County area, in spite of having endured at times, discrimination, injustices, inequities, racism, mis-education and hatred by some; yet still they rise… – Dr. Thelma Jackson, New Life Baptist Church
Artist’s Statement: This artwork was created through research and collaboration with Dr. Thelma Jackson of New Life Baptist church. It was an honor to work on this piece, as my second in this series of murals at the YMCA. Pictured are 8 key places and central people in the Black community of Thurston County. To me, public art should not only reflect the communities closest to the art, but also be in conversation with the history of that place and the people who came before and built the world we are stewarding. The value word of ‘Perserverance’ is deeply fitting for the story of Black people in the Pacific Northwest. Through relentless hurdles, Black people in Thurston county and the larger PNW have found community and built a place for our people to belong. – Vega Dawson, Artist
Mural Elements: The following landmarks and people are portrayed:
- The current New Life Baptist church and their annual Black History Month celebration. Pacific House and Rebecca Howard.
- Olympia YWCA and Friendship Hall with people campaigning for open housing.
- Evergreen State College with Dr. Maxine Mims, Dr. Rudolph Martin, and Dr. Joye Hardiman.
- John Grace, who was integral to New Life Baptist church, with his piano repair truck.
- Bush Prairie with George and Isabella Bush.
- Barbs Soul Cuisine with Barbara O’Neal.
- Nisqually River with Dick Gregory during a fish-in symbolizing Black-Native solidarity.
- The rivers and roads separating the communities, and view of Mount Rainier (Tahoma)
Sponsors: Inspire Olympia, South Sound YMCA, PARC Foundation, Rainbow Community Arts. Olympia Downtown Alliance & New Life Baptist Church
For more information:
New Life Baptist Church:https://www.nlbclacey.com/
Blacks in Thurston County:https://www.thecommunityfoundation.com/stories/presenting-a-new-book-blacks-in-thurston-county-washington-1950-to-1975-a-community-album
South Sound YMCA:https://southsoundymca.org/