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Last October a large commercial building on 85th Street that housed four popular businesses in the heart of the Greenwood neighborhood burned due to an arson fire (my photo of the fire trucks here). After the building was raised a plywood wall went up along the site and a very long colorful mural was painted on it. This is a small portion of the mural I snapped with my iPhone as I was walking by. It depicts a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The arsonist, a mentally ill homeless man had set several other fires in the neighborhood, terrorizing merchants and homeowners and caused one man to be severely burned after lighting his home ablaze. The arsonist had a long history of similar offenses and jail time and pleaded guilty to charges last month, receiving a 30 year prison sentence. Some of the small businesses have relocated or found temporary digs, and surrounding businesses affected by smoke and water damage have cleaned up and are operating again, like Taproot Theater. Just around the corner this past Friday and Saturday the neighborhood held its 15th Annual Greenwood-Phinney Art Walk where 65 businesses became mini-art galleries displaying juried works in many media along the Greenwood /Phinney Avenue commercial corridor from 63rd Street to 87th Street. With the beautiful weather the Avenue was alive with neighbors strolling and enjoying the sunshine, art displays, and performers. You can see photos and videos here.
It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for this week, where I take and edit the image using just an iPhone and available apps.
It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for this week, where I take and edit the image using just an iPhone and available apps.
10 comments:
What a fantastic painting!
This is a really, really cool mural! Your narrative is filled with both bad and good news. So sad about the mentally ill man, and so great to hear about the art show. The world is filled with contradictions!
Agree with Kate in the sad and good news...poor fellow will be at least taken care of. This phoenix is a beautiful piece of art.
The rising phoenix is a beautiful and apt piece of art along here. Is the wall temporary? I'd hate to think this lovely mural will be destroyed.
Our two murals on the same street would go fine together today!!
«Louis» doesn't like to miss your iPhone Wednesdays, so here he is!
I love good street art ... especially when it serves a good purpose like this one. I hope the rebuilding is progressing, though in the current economy it may well be difficult.
I like the Google inspired verification word for this comment, btw ... pasta! Yes!!
Amazing, magical--thanks, Kim! I love getting the news about Greenwood / Phinney. Your news of the man stopped me. I send him a prayer. I long for us all to do more for him and the millions more like him.
Oh now this one "turns my crank" as Wayne would say. IT's just great Kim.
V
Taproot Theatre owned the building that burned to the ground. They commissioned the mural as a response to the fire to give their neighborhood something beautiful in the place of a gaping hole which would be a reminder of the tragic string of Greenwood fires. Greenwood artists John Osgood, Kevin “Sensei23” Sullivan and Zach Bohnenkamp, donated their artistry & time to the project.
It is Taproot's hope that when the company is able to re-build in that location that a new space will be found for this wonderful artwork. It's a perfect representation of this great neighborhood.
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