"Heritage," by Don and Paul Blanton, 1968 Repainted by Kiayani Douglas, 2021

In 1968, when civil rights protests were occurring across the country, including in Springfield, brothers Don and Paul Blanton made their way through the crowds and National Guard to a storefront in the center of Winchester Square and asked if they could paint a mural. They wanted to make a positive contribution to the activism and struggle for equal rights, so they painted a mural to express pride in African-American culture and heritage. By 2021 the mural was in extreme disrepair.

WMass artist Kiayani Douglas, with the support of Don Blanton, and dozens of neighborhood residents repainted the mural in 2021, ensuring its celebrated place in the community for another 50 years.

Kiayani Douglas is an interdisciplinary portrait artist who uses ceramics, painting, drawing, and installation to curate conversations rooted in race, history, and privilege. In addition to creating this art, she teaches ceramics and studio art to high school-aged students.

This mural was partially painted using the GoodSpace Method of community-engaged mural making. Learn more about GoodSpace Murals here.

IG: @_iamkaydouglas

This mural is located at 727 State St.