The Tower Companies tomorrow will officially unveil a group of eight public art murals the organization commissioned for The Blairs District at The Blairs Mural Festival, the company announced.
Jeffrey Abramson, partner at The Tower Companies, spearheaded the effort after seeing a similar display.
“I was inspired by a friend’s real estate project called ‘Gravity,’ in Columbus [Ohio],” he wrote in response to emailed questions. “Their walls told stories and celebrated life we all share together.
“When I saw it, I saw the great and unique potential of The Blairs: acres of long and tall walls of beautiful art from a global collection of artists, gracing our community with life, wonder, joy and inspiration!” he added.
The company put out a request for proposals in 2020. A panel of seven judges reviewed nearly 100 submissions and eventually selected eight artists, Abramson said. The selections were all murals themed around environmental stewardship, community and active family life, and health and wellness, the company said.
“Each judge reviewed all submissions, rating them based on thematic considerations and other criteria established at the beginning of the project,” Abrahamson added. “We also had to create a collection that would work well together, telling the story of the company’s mission and goals.”
The free festival will run on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 1–4 p.m. on Sonny’s Green Park at 180 High Park Lane, next to The Pearl. It will include live music from I&I Riddim, food from District Taco, IC Dream food truck, face painting, corn hole, art projects and more. Masks will be required and social distancing must be practiced.
The artists, six of whom are from the Virginia–D.C.–Maryland region, received a total of $60,000 from The Tower Companies for their fees and materials. The company invested additional funds in banner prints and installations.
“Art is loved by all and brings us joy,” Abramson wrote. “Art is a way to celebrate who we are and how fortunate we all are. Every day we see something new revealed in the art. Life should be a discovery everyday.”
Graphics and video courtesy The Tower Companies