Historic Triangle Park Mural
Asheville, NC

Triangle Park, at the intersection of Sycamore Alley and South Market Street in downtown Asheville, NC. This is the heart of "The Block," an historic area that remained the cultural and economic center for all of Western North Carolina's African-American citizens from the time of Reconstruction until the years of integration and "urban renewal." Triangle Park is a remnant of this era, where people who grew up around Valley Street still gather. In an upwelling of community effort and care, nearly 100 volunteers helped paint the mural, many of whom have their own stories about the heyday of the Block.

    Beginning in the late 60s, Nearly 500 acres of majority black neighborhoods surrounding The Block were cleared in the East-Riverside Re-Development Project. This completely altered the physical, cultural, and economic landscape of the area. In these now-quiet streets there is little evidence of the Block's earlier chapter of African-American entrepreneurship & bustling community life. The mural aims to offer proof, emphasizing the idea that it's important to know where we've come from in order to see where we are, and where we're headed.

    The design of the mural is a product of community discussion that was aided by historical archives, interviews, family stories, and donated photographs (including the collection of photographer Andrea Clark). The imagery of the mural pays tribute to the love, labor, and stories of the people of the Block, East End & Valley St neighborhoods, and also honors many of the historic institutions of the area including the Stevens Lee High School, Catholic Hill School, and the Young Men's Institute (YMI).

    The mural was originally the first phase of a multi-phase vision for park beautification and grassroots community investment. We strongly believe the park holds more opportunity for continued collaboration between historians, artists, and community members, if support can be found.

     During her VISTA tenure, Molly worked to incorporate art into the existing community development projects. The Triangle Park Mural Project became the focus of those efforts, and became a popular and engaging idea that many East-End and Southside residents came out to support, serving as a powerful bridge between the many different cultural networks. With all funding and in-kind donations, the mural represents over $60,000 of community investment in The Block.