"Preacher Man," by GoodSpace Murals and The Community Mural Institute

This mural honors Randolph H. Lester, a beloved Springfield man, known to residents in Mason Square as “Preacher Man.” The mural was designed by GoodSpace Murals for the Community Mural Institute. 3 Springfield artists, Frankie Borrero, Emma Mesa-Melendez, and Martin Johnson were trained in polytab mural installation and mural painting during the installation.

Randolph H. Lester was a well-known community member who was fondly nicknamed Preacher Man. Mr. Lester passed away in 2017. There are many stories of Preacher Man, and in this neighborhood people say, “If you’re from here, you know who Preacher Man is.”

The Community Mural Institute (CMI) is an intensive training for artists and emerging muralists to learn techniques for community-engaged mural creation. The CMI includes classroom instruction and hands-on training, networking with established muralists, and supplemental training opportunities for the participants. The CMI builds a community’s capacity to create murals in a cost-efficient way and creates a sustainable way to meaningfully engage the community in the design and painting of the murals. This mural was painted using the GoodSpace Method of community-engaged mural making. Learn more about GoodSpace Murals here.

IG: @community.mural.institute @goodspacemurals

This mural is located at 1081 State St.