MLK Mural Unveiling
From 12PM to 12:45PM outside Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Ave, festivities for the MLK Mural Unveiling will include remarks and musical performances in addition to the unveiling of the MLK Mural. We will then head to Town Center Park for the Juneteenth Celebration. Parking is onsite.
Juneteenth Celebration
From 1PM to 4PM at Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Ave, festivities for the Juneteenth Celebration will include remarks, musical performances, a “Black Girl Magic” segment, and a “Black Male Excellence” segment in addition to many vendors, crafters, exhibitors, food trucks, and several attractions. To park, please enter Town Center Park through the Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave.
RiseUP for Arts partnered with the Town of Hamden, local businesses, organizations, and community members in Hamden to create a large-scale public art mural in collaboration with artist Emida Roller on the Dixwell-facing side of Hamden’s Miller Memorial Library that will celebrate the diversity and cultures of the community and highlight the messages of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hamden will be the 16th town to produce an MLK39 Racial Equity Mural. For more information about the Statewide campaign visit: www.theriseupgroup.org/mlk39.
Each MLK39 Racial Equity Mural is inspired by the community. Hamden residents participated in a mural design survey that guided the mural design. Community volunteer paint days were held on April 22nd in conjunction with this year’s Earth Day Celebration, and on May 11th at Keefe Community Center.
Hamden’s Arts Commission generously donated $5,000, and individual donations collectively raised $3,946, making it possible to receive matching funds through Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund. You can visit www.patronicity.com/HamdenMLKmural to learn more.
Commenting on the placement of the mural, Hamden Public Library Director Melissa Canham-Clyne states, "This mural is ageless and timeless. It is ageless because residents of all ages contributed to it. It is timeless because it reminds us of all that has come before and all that is possible for the future. It is a reminder that knowledge is powerfully transformative. As the knowledge center of the town, the Hamden Public Library is honored to be chosen as the host of this mural."
Lushonda Howard, Chair of Hamden’s Arts Commission, remarks, “It is our vision that this mural will not only bring cultural and historic relevance to our community, but also inspire and bring joy to all who view it.”
Karen Bivens, Director of Arts, Culture, Recreation and Wellness, adds, “This project has been in the works for a while. We are very excited to finally bring it to fruition. It will be a beautiful work of art to represent the history and diversity of Hamden.”
The MLK Mural Unveiling and Juneteenth Celebration is presented by RiseUP for Arts, the Hamden Arts Commission and Hamden’s Department of Arts, Culture, Recreation and Wellness. The MLK Mural Unveiling and Juneteenth Celebration is held in cooperation with the Hamden Public Library, Hamden Recreation Department, Hamden Parks Department, Hamden Public Works, Hamden Police Department, CERT, and the Mayor’s Office.
For further information, please contact Deputy Chief of Staff, Alexa M. Panayotakis, at (203) 287-7100 or by email at apanayotakis@hamden.com.