JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tuesday is the last day of Black History Month, but it's not the last day to tour some of Jacksonville's artwork done by Black artists.
The Black Mural Map shows you where at least three dozen murals are located in Jacksonville. It's an online guide to art by Black artists or featuring Black portraiture.
Kandice Knecole Clark is the founder of Black Mural Map. First Coast News met her for an interview at a new mural by Tatiana Kitchen on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard near Oakley Street. The mural is of two girls painted blue.
"Everybody who walked by had something positive to say," Clark said about when the mural was being finished. "They were like, 'Oh my God, we have this in our neighborhood. This is so beautiful,' and it's something that they didn't have before."
Clark says there are six new murals in this area of the east side.
"It's nice to be able to see representation of yourself and see it and be like, 'That's beautiful' or, 'that reminds me of somebody.' I think it's amazing."
Clark says it's important to showcase Black artists not only to recognize them for their work, but to inspire and empower communities. She started Black Mural Map during the pandemic.
"I definitely hope that it inspires others, especially children, children that may want to become artists," Clark said. "Because sometimes children don't see art as a job that they could possibly have and to see art and know that artists like themselves created it, I hope that inspires them. But also in the community to be like, 'Okay, this is beautiful. I want to keep this beautiful.'"
Artists are making street corners and neighborhoods vibrant, painting a path with Black history and a colorful future.