"Wall of Black Music," Nelson Stevens, with his student Clyde Santana, 1974. Recreated by the Community Mural Institute, 2022

The Wall of Black Music was originally painted by Nelson Stevens in 1974, in collaboration with Clyde Santana, a student of Mr. Steven’s at the time. It was recreated by the Community Mural Institute in 2022 with support from a NEFA Public Art for Spatial Justice grant and the assistance of hundreds of people who came to pay tribute to Mr. Stevens.

In the 1970s, Springfield was home to the only collection of murals designed in the AfriCOBRA aesthetic, created under the direction of an AfriCOBRA member, Nelson Stevens.

After Mr. Stevens's passing, Mr. Santana worked with the Community Mural Institute to assist in finalizing the color palette, and sharing with the mural team the neighborhood vibe when the murals were first painted, the color theory they used, their techniques for mixing colors, the music they were listening to, and the people they met while painting. This mural was painted using the GoodSpace Method of community-engaged mural making. Learn more about GoodSpace Murals here.

IG: @community.mural.institute

This mural is located at 1 Montrose St.