Chris Winfield's Murals Give History, Pride, and Strength to Mississippi

Bringing beautification to areas that may have lost some of their flair is where local artist Chris Winfield flourishes.

"Magnolia Dreams " at Briarwood Arts Center
Credit: Erica Johnson

Winfield brings color to the faded buildings and walls that didn't otherwise have a bright purpose before. Most importantly to him, he can honor and highlight the Civil Rights Movement, some of Mississippi's complicated history, and commemorate those who haven't received much shine, sparking conversation about lesser-known heroes

Honoring Forgotten Civil Rights Heroes Like R.L.T. Smith

"With (the mural) Three Leaders, it meant a lot because we also put R.L.T. Smith in it," said Winfield, a Jackson native, artist, and illustrator. "He was a local Black Civil Rights advocate back in the day. He sued the news station because they were discriminating against African Americans from being able to advertise on the news station, and he won. That was really important, too, because it was educating people on somebody they weren't familiar with, and didn't get that spotlight."

The Rev. R.L.T. Smith was a plaintiff in a 1964 United Church of Christ lawsuit against a local news station challenging the station's broadcasting license. The station was subsequently sold. It's not as well-known as the Whitworth sit-ins, but to Winfield, it's essential and intriguing that his murals spark interest, concern, and conversation

How Murals Beautify Communities and Inspire Pride

Murals help beautify the community, and ignite pride that drives communal upkeep, and people grow to respect the area more. Painting faces is what draws Winfield. He'll find a person to depict, magnify their image, and use a mix of colors to fill and shade skin tones.

The Art of Color: Painting Beyond Black and Brown

"We're not really (the color) Black," Windfield said. "We're brown. I'm not using black paint to paint Black people, but at the same time, the color black consists of all colors, supposedly. That's why I use all colors from different color palettes. Even when you paint brown skin, you still have to put reds or something in there. When you look at Black people, it's not just brown, it's all kinds of colors, orange and purple, that we don't really see when the light bounces off our faces, depending on where we are."

Winfield

Winfield's Mississippi Murals: From Jackson to Indianola

Winfield's portfolio extends across the city and throughout the state, from the Mississippi Legends mural at Baymont Hotel, including Bobby Rush, Chokwe Lumumba, B.B. King, and Ida B. Wells in Jackson, to the Hambone Mural in Indianola. Seasoned Civil Rights figures should never be forgotten, but youth bring new angles and perspectives to art and history. Winfield works closely with the Briarwood Arts Center, and dons some of his work with the Magnolia state flower as a symbolic shoutout to the youth. It was Mississippi schoolchildren who first voted to select the Magnolia as the state flower.

Plan a day trip to bask in Winfield's splashes and blends, and take a pic for your social media pages.

"Pray for Our City" at Woodrow Wilson Imagination Creation
Credit: Erica Johnson

Mural Locations - Jackson, MS

  • Young King - New Horizon International
  • 3 Leaders - Kings and Associates Law Firm
  • Kyrie Irving - The Ark (New Horizon Ministries )
  • Breanna Stewart - The Ark (New Horizon Ministries)
  • Skate for Hope - The Sanctuary Skating Rink, (New Horizon)
  • Mississippi Legends (Four levels) - Baymont Hotel
  • Magnolia Dreams - Briarwood Arts CenterPray for Our City - Woodrow Wilson Imagination Creation
  • Canopy School - Canopy School
  • JSU Post Office - JSU Post Office (not finished)
  • Welcome to Fight School - Boxers’ Rebellion
  • Autism Room - Canopy School
  • Hope Mural - Methodist Children’s Home of MS

Mississippi

  • Hambone Mural - Indianola, MS
  • Rolling Fork Mural - Rolling Fork, MS
  • Amory Mural - Walmart, Amory, MS
  • Spirits of Oxford - Walmart, Oxford, MS
Crystal McDowell

Author

Crystal McDowell

Crystal McDowell is the CEO of Marketing Maven Management, a marketing and communications firm created to ensure accurate and positive storytelling that includes people of color. She has a Mass Communication degree from Jackson State University and an MBA from Belhaven University. She has 18+ years of journalism, PR, and marketing skills, which she obtained working across the country. Her hobbies are traveling and storytelling.