Brenda Kato and Mary Allegretti embarked on a 2-month collaboration that became a masterful work of art. The 25-foot mural of sunflowers topped with a starry nights themed sky is a tribute to the famous artist Van Gogh.
Being a close friend and business associate of Brenda, I can attest to her commitment to improving and uplifting our neighborhoods. She is the artist who fittingly named the sunflower mural Bloom Where You Are Planted. Brenda is a pillar in our community as a business leader and local creative influencer, so it is no surprise that she named the mural as a reminder to “always think positively and give back to your community”.
Outdoor art enhances the cultural pulse of any city, which attracts business development, fuels local economies, and instills a sense of unity.
Within the last 5 years, Jacksonville has experienced a cultural renaissance of outdoor art. This movement was expressly conveyed in the March + April 2021 edition of Arbus Magazine titled “The Mural Issue: Jacksonville’s Great Outdoor Art Galleries”. The established publication introduced 5 pedestrian-friendly maps in this issue, including the Murray Hill Mural tour. Bloom Where You Are Planted was the ninth installment recognized by the Murray Hill Preservation Association’s Mural Project.
Murals in our city’s rich and diverse neighborhoods are the most organic form of inclusion and equality since they are available to the entire community. The mural embodies the notion of living art enshrined in our daily lives and movement throughout this area.
I admire this fine work of art proudly displayed on the exterior of the old J&W building. As a member of the local art community in Jacksonville and an avid supporter of many beautification projects across the city, I have seen firsthand how valued this mural is in the neighborhood.
Just a stone’s throw away from Bloom Where You Are Planted is the CoRK Art District where Keith Doles, a renowned local artist, has his studio. I interviewed Keith a couple of years ago , during which he made the following remark in reference to his works,
“I would hope my viewer’s initial reaction triggers a memory from recognizing a shape or color from the layout.”
Keith is the face behind many of the colorful murals peppered throughout the Jacksonville landscape.
The mural Bloom Where You Are Planted penetrates the mind of every passerby, invoking an altruistic vibe that goes far beyond the concrete façade that it adorns. It triggers positive emotions, makes adults smile, makes a child giggle with delight, excites a teenager as a Pokèmon Go stop, and brings us all together.
The impact of this mural in our community goes far beyond the colors of paint on a building. It has become a staple in the revitalization of Murray Hill and must unequivocally be preserved.
The flowers represent all the residents of this great community standing tall in unwavering stature, supporting one another in unity, and reaching for the stars. They are symbols of empowerment available for all to soak in and experience.
These iconic blooms are a testament to our cultural advancements and must be appreciated and protected for years to come. Brenda plans to restore the mural to its original vibrance this November. Stay tuned to learn how and when to help her paint. She is also collecting stories from the community about how the Sunflower mural has impacted peoples lives. If you have been blessed by this mural, please let us know in the contact form below.
Let’s restore the Bloom Where You Are Planted mural in our Murray Hill neighborhood.