A Colorful Narrative
Capturing history in a mural
Words and Photos by Alison Bryce
A new mural embracing the diversity of the East Austin community is being created on the east wing of Blackshear Elementary Fine Arts Academy.
The mural is an extension of a larger project that started in 2016 when Blackshear PTA and Blackshear Bridge renamed the children’s garden after long-time principal, Friendly R. Rice. Rice was principal from 1933-1972 and was viewed as a leading progressive educator. He devoted his time to implement innovative ideas such as building the first library with a credentialed librarian at a black school in the southwest and providing hot lunches for kids.
Ryan Runcie, the artist selected for the painting, believes his style will portray the differences the community has seen throughout the years in a way that will allow anyone to see themselves as part of the mural.
“I want a utopian vision for all the students who attend Blackshear Elementary,” says Runcie. “I want any child to see themselves as anyone in the mural.”
While visualization into the mural is one major part of the design, embodying the history is another. The mural includes Principal Rice along with some of the programs he started as well as references to other historic figures in Austin’s African American education history.
“The goal of this mural is [to] embrace the diversity of the current East Austin population while paying homage and thanks to the historically African American community that was the cornerstone of central East Austin over the last 100 years,” Runcie explains.
Although some may wonder how his colorful style will be able to portray the proper storyline of how central east Austin has changed, Runcie does not believe it will be a problem. “The use of my colorful style is not an attempt to hide or whitewash racial issues. Considering I still show most subject’s phenotype, such as facial features and hair styles are visible, anyone can decipher what race the subjects in the mural are.”
The mural unveiling of the new piece will take place on April 26, 2019, at the Rice Birthday Party and reunion of Blackshear Elementary School alumnae which local community members are welcome to attend.
Contact:
ryanruncie.com
blackshearbridge.org
