Willard Street Mural
Public Feedback Request
Project Details
Gabriel Eng-Goetz has been selected by DHIC and Self Help to create a large-scale mural on the north side of the Willard Street Apartments affordable housing complex in downtown Durham. The mural will be highly visible from Durham Station and Pettigrew Street.
The complex consists of 82 affordable apartment homes (39 one-bedroom & 43 two-bedroom) for modest wage earners working in downtown Durham with a mix of 30% and 60% AMI units. Tenants are scheduled to start moving in this Spring.
About the Artist
Gabriel's studio is based in Durham, North Carolina USA. His work explores the cultural history of identity, including his own as a Chinese American born and raised in the South, and our human connection to the natural world. Outside of creating his own artwork, Gabriel works with Durham's community to showcase and uplift the area's vibrant and diverse art scene by curating/producing events and working as a youth mentor.
Gabriel has partnered with Student U to employ a high school-aged apprentice for this mural(student will be paid).
SITE HISTORY - Durham was first home to the Eno, Shocco, Adshusheer and Occaneechi Indians. The first documented use of the site was a humble residence in the 1860s and later a brick mansion dubbed the 'Jones House' in 1888. In the 1960s, the land transitioned into a commercial site as the Downtowner Motor Inn and later the Heart of Durham Hotel in the 1980s, which was briefly featured in the movie Bull Durham. The Heart of Durham Hotel was leveled in the early 2000s and would eventually become Durham Station, designed by legendary architect Phil Freelon. Today, the site shares Durham Station and the new Willard Street Apartments complex.
Travel back in time and learn more about the history of the site via Open Durham.
PROJECT OWNERS - Since 1974, DHIC has demonstrated the importance of connecting people with safe, affordable, and desirable homes in the Triangle region of North Carolina. DHIC provides homebuyer support and develops rental communities for families and individuals with limited incomes.
Self Help provides responsible financial services, lending to small businesses and nonprofits, developing real estate and promoting fair financial practices. While their work benefits communities of all kinds, their focus is on those who may be underserved by conventional lenders, including people of color, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.
We need you to share your ideas for this mural!
Feedback
Community research and engagement is essential when creating public art, as it should represent the area and those living in it. This is where YOU come in. We want to be sure that all groups have a voice in what this mural reads and evokes. Please submit your feedback via the form below by March 7.
Themes
We've received some great feedback from the community already. The most common themes suggested have been HISTORY, DIVERSITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE and STORYTELLING. Let us know if any of these resonate with you or if you have new themes to suggest.
Visuals
Consider how themes and subject matter can be represented visually. Do you prefer bold imagery or something more subtle? What color palette would you like to see? Are there specific symbols or iconography you'd like to see included. Let us know.
Let your voice be heard!
Please message your feedback via the form below. All messages submitted by March 7 will be considered.
Looking for future public art opportunities in Durham?
The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program invites artists and artist teams to submit portfolios to be selected to join the City of Durham Pre-Qualified Artist Registry. This registry will serve as a resource for the program’s selection of artists and artist teams to create City cultural and public art projects. Access to a predetermined network of qualified artists saves artists and staff members valuable time by making the process for responding to the numerous calls issued by the City more efficient. It also strengthens and streamlines the program by maintaining a database of artists in the community with particular skill sets.
