LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kids at the Shawnee Community Center designed 25 banners that now line West Broadway from 28th Street to Shawnee Park, showing off the cultural heritage of west Louisville.
Dr. Jabani Bennett was one of the eight artists who helped bring the children's vision to life, part of the Heritage Canvas Project. She said one of the west end's "superpowers" is art.
Crews started hanging up these Heritage Canvas Project banners Friday afternoon.
"They are a connection to a long legacy of creatives that lived in the west end," Bennett said. "It's just community pride, cultural pride."
She was thrilled to see the collection of banners unveiled Thursday night. It was a chance for the student artists to mingle with Bennett and the featured artists: William Duffy, Elmer Lucille Allen, Ed White, Sunshine Joe Mallard, CJ Fletcher, Gwen Kelly, James Bennett and Chip Calloway.
"It was a moment of celebration of a possibility and beauty that exists in Louisville already when it comes to the arts,"Â Bennett said.
This multi-generational project hopes to uplift the whole community and inspire other young artists. It also works to preserve the west end's history.
"It's essential for young residents to see themselves reflected in their community and to understand the impact of art," said Gwen Murphy, the visual art teacher for the program and co-director of Genesis Arts KY, the organization that came up with the idea for this project. "This project provides a platform for young artists to express their creativity and learn from established artists in their neighborhood."
The Heritage Canvas Project is made possible by the Louisville Metro Government, Louisville Parks & Recreation, Fund for the Arts and HeArts.
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