Visit Jackson, Local Artist Complete 'JXN Icons' Mural

Visit Jackson and the agency’s Creative Design Manager, Reshonda Perryman, have completed a new downtown mural, “Jxn Icons.”

The boldly colored painting, located on the back wall of the Old Capital Inn on North Street, depicts Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers; writer and photographer Eudora Welty; American ballet dancer, educator, and author Thalia Mara; and rapper and philanthropist David Banner.

The larger-than-life painting showcases a diverse representation that spans age, ethnicity, and notoriety while focusing on a few of the many things Jackson is known for: civil rights history, literature, performance arts, and music.

“I didn’t want to paint portraits in a traditional way,” said Perryman of the bold colors and shapes used to depict the Jackson icons. “I wanted it to represent Jackson – all of the different shapes, sizes, colors – the eclectic melting pot that Jackson is. I wanted something that said ‘soul.'”

Rickey Thigpen, President/CEO of Visit Jackson, acknowledges that the current COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism and hospitality industry exceptionally hard.

“The industry has had to make adjustments to daily operations,” Thigpen said. “Visit Jackson took this time to put ‘paint-to-wall.’ Reshonda has worked incredibly hard on this mural over the past five weeks. She has made all of us at Visit Jackson proud. We hope that the community will feel a sense of place. We are the capital city with a vibrant history. We are the City With Soul, and we will remain City With Soul Strong.”

Due to the current health situation and the need for social distancing, interviews are available by appointment only on Tuesday, May 5.

Once it is safe to do so, Visit Jackson will hold a press conference with an official unveiling and celebration of the mural. David Banner and a representative from each of the icons’ families will also be on hand. The timing of this event is yet to be determined.