North Charlotte Today

When driving along Beatties Ford Road, a vibrant mural on the side of JJ’s Hair Design salon catches the eye. The mural, featuring bold oranges and blues, depicts three notable North Carolina natives: gospel singer John P. Kee, singer and actress Fantasia, and singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton. This artwork is part of an initiative by the Historic West End Partners (HWEP) to engage the community through art.

J’Tanya Adams, Executive Director of HWEP, stated that their goal was to create a gathering space for the community. “HWEP is honored to be a facilitator for people gathering in the community,” Adams said. “We help create that by creating authentic bodies of work for all to enjoy.”

The City of Charlotte’s Urban Design Center funded the mural with a grant from the Knight Foundation. HWEP involved local residents in choosing a theme through a survey, which resulted in music being selected as the focus.

The mural highlights homegrown talents who have achieved national recognition. John P. Kee is celebrated for his contributions to gospel music and his induction into multiple Hall of Fames. Fantasia gained fame from her success on American Idol and subsequent award-winning career in singing and acting. Anthony Hamilton is known for his Grammy-winning achievements.

Adams emphasized the significance of these figures not only for their artistic contributions but also as role models who demonstrate that success can originate from anywhere. "All of them are modeling excellence before us,” she expressed.

Artist Abel Jackson took on the task of capturing these musicians authentically in his mural. “If people were going to see themselves in the people on this mural, I wanted to show each person doing what they did best,” Jackson said.

Jackson meticulously researched images of Kee, Fantasia, and Hamilton to depict them realistically engaged in their craft. After preparing the wall over two weeks, he completed the painting in three cold weeks during winter.

The mural quickly gained attention even before its completion, with visitors stopping by to view it and sharing images on social media platforms where it reached the featured artists themselves.

“There were just so many responses from people,” Jackson noted about public reactions including those from Kee, Fantasia, and Hamilton who appreciated his work.

Reflecting on his contribution through art, Jackson shared his intent: “I just wanted people to see the success of the people in the picture, and then see that same success within themselves.”

Adams highlighted art's universal appeal as a storytelling medium: "Not only is art universal to all cultures and people; it is an awesome storytelling tool.”

The public can visit 1009 Beatties Ford Road to view this inspiring piece firsthand.

For those interested in similar projects within their communities or neighborhoods there are opportunities available such as applying for Placemaking Grants or joining Placemaking Creative Pools aimed at enhancing public spaces' experiences through artistic endeavors.