Jackson State students have made their mark on the city of Canton, literally. A group of art students, led by Art Professor Hyun Chong Kim spent the last semester creating a mural featuring some of the city’s brightest spots.
More than 3,200 six-inch tiles were hand painted to create the mural that stands more than 13 feet high and 67 feet wide.
“We’d been wanting to do something to beautify the Hollow,” said Vickie McNeal of Canton. “Kim and her students put a lot of heart into it and did an awesome task. People stop and stare at it. They are coming to take pictures with it. It has created a lot of buzz around town.”
The mural features the award-winning gospel group The Canton Spirituals, Willie Jones, a who owned a popular sandwich shop in Canton and blues artist Elmore James.
“We were all very proud of how it turned out.”
Chanise Sanders, an art major from Jackson, said she’s enjoyed the response from her family members who have seen the mural.
Now Sanders’ 12-year-old sister wants to major in art. “My mom tells everybody to go by there.”
Olivia Wilson, also an art major, said the entire process was meticulous.
“A lot of days we didn’t want to do it, but it feels like it was worth it all in the end.”
Wade Walker says he finally has an answer for all those who have been skeptical about his decision to major in art.
“One of the main questions I get is ‘.What do you do with that?,’ says Walker, who has been an artist since the seventh grade. “Look at this. I have an answer for that.”
