ROCKINGHAM — The official unveiling of a new downtown mural drew a crowd of about 50 Richmond County residents Monday to meet some of the artists who brought it to life.

The 6 p.m. ceremony went without a hitch despite ominous clouds overhead that had some people concerned it might start raining “like last week.”

People stood pointing and chattering among themselves about the vibrant colors and familiar symbols in the 8-foot high, 24-foot long mural designed and painted by students from Richmond Community College as Jimmy McDonald, president of Arts Richmond’s board of directors, stepped behind the red ribbon and prepared to kick off the ceremony.

Former RCC art instructor Jason Lancaster led Abi Alcocer, Megan Covington, Chris Farrell, Kenedeigh Goins, Ciara Golden, Sandra Greer, Jalen Joy, Curt Kindley, Zoe Lawrence, Nichole McPherson, Cameron Pressley, Samala Taylor, Samy Tullock and Michael Whitley as they worked on the project, which took an entire semester to complete.

Arts Richmond also provided funding and sponsorship through a Grassroots Grant program of the North Carolina Arts Council. The N.C. Arts Council is a division of the state Department of Cultural Resources that receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Every class I have, I like to have a large community-based project at the end of it,” Lancaster said. “It was actually Dr. McInnis who put me in touch with the arts council.”

Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RCC, said that even though Lancaster has accepted a job at another school, he hopes the next art teacher will continue to encourage community projects and work closely with Arts Richmond and downtown Rockingham to put more student work on display.

Executive Director Laura Daskal and other volunteers moved the large but lightweight panels to Arts Richmond’s downtown building where it remained on display over the summer as the mural’s permanent location was sought. Now it is in place and easily visible to cars driving along East Washington Street toward Harrington Square, hung on the side of the J. Brent Garner Law Office.

John Garner, Brent Garner’s father, said he is proud the mural was placed on the corner of his son’s office building.

“Art comes in a lot of forms and shapes,” John Garner said. “And it affects people differently depending on their perspective at a particular time and how they view it. I’ve always thought it was interesting and it’s good to see the depth some of these young people have put into these murals across the country, really. Even on boxcars.”

Jackie McAuley said she thinks the mural could be the reason people are observing the 20 mph speed limit downtown.

“I think people have been slowing down to get a look at it,” she said.

McInnis said art is supposed to get people talking.

“My focus is on the students,” he said. “I’m glad they had a great experience with it. Since this was an art appreciation class that did it, I think they gained a lot of appreciation for the work that goes into creating art and I’m here to celebrate their work. When you’re standing on top of it, you get a whole different perspective than when you see it hanging up.”

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @melonieflomer.

Melonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Arts Richmond Board of Directors President Jimmy McDonald gives a speech Monday evening before a crowd of 50 who gathered for the dedication of the new downtown mural to the art students of Richmond Community College.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_JimmyCrowd.jpgMelonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Arts Richmond Board of Directors President Jimmy McDonald gives a speech Monday evening before a crowd of 50 who gathered for the dedication of the new downtown mural to the art students of Richmond Community College.

By Melonie McLaurin

[email protected]