The "Creating Our Culture" mural (located at 1225 Main Street) was completed on September 27, 2022. The goal of the mural is to promote, elevate, and raise awareness for Lynchburg’s artists of color. A QR code is prominently displayed on the mural, which directs viewers to a webpage that features eight local artists of color, their work, and their stories. The mural aims to provide BIPOC artists in our community the opportunity to express their voices through mass media and to connect them to potential partnerships and opportunities.
Local marketing firm Blackwater Branding, headquartered at 1009 Main Street, is responsible for the project concept and creative direction of the artwork as well as the featured website content. The mural was painted by Jawansa Hall of Blackwater Branding, along with local mural artists Christina Davis and Twon Smith.
In addition, this mural will help to bring color and vibrancy to a prominent, high-traffic area in downtown. This effort is part of DLA’s Placemaking Initiative, which aims to further our goal to make Downtown Lynchburg a more inviting and welcoming space for everyone.
This project is sponsored by Genworth Financial and Scott Insurance with additional support provided by The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation as well as support in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts— which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Jawansa hall
Mural Design and Co-owner of Blackwater Branding
Jawansa Hall is a creative director and graphic designer from Lynchburg, Virginia. Holding a BFA in Fine Art & Graphic Design, Jawansa brings over 16 years of creative experience in design, branding, and marketing to every project. Having worked with some of Lynchburg’s top agencies, Jawansa later established his own creative firm known as Blackwater Branding.
Christina Davis
Mural execution
Christina Davis is a self-taught painter and muralist from Lynchburg, Virginia. Davis has completed multiple large-scale public murals and outdoor art pieces in her community, including “Tales of the Garden,” a painting for DLA’s Art Alley in 2021. In addition to producing commissioned artwork, Davis also teaches painting classes and art camps, and contributes time/fundraising for training up younger artists.
Twon Smith
Mural execution
Twon Smith comes from Lynchburg, Virginia with a degree in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. From graphite pencils to digital pexels, Twon has been illustrating and creating since age 6. Through his collegiate endeavors, new mediums and visual options emerged. Twon’s art and digital storyboards are expressive and lean towards concept art and figure studies of the human body or condition.
Who is Blackwater Branding?
Blackwater Branding is an award-winning brand & strategy design consultancy located in Central Virginia.
“We work closely with clientele to create a digital experience that not only drives communication and interaction, but also commerce and brand awareness.
Whether a company is evolving or new to the industry, we work with businesses and organizations of all sizes to clarify their purpose, find their voice, understand their customers, and define their goals.”
