Macon, Georgia
United States

Description of the Site

Funded by 6 departments at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and located on Coleman Avenue, the Mercer Village Mural was completed in 2017 by artist Joerael Numina as part of the Art in the Park Series. This art series is a local initiative aiming to bring more public art to the College Park area. It was also part of a larger project founded by Mr. Numina called Mobilize Walls. This extensive, nation-wide project is a movement to counter and protest the proposed border wall. Murals have been and continue to be commissioned across the country with the goal to out-scale the size of the proposed wall. This project is an inclusive way to visually depict the spirit of local communities and use art to bring people together. Additionally, during the visit to complete the mural, a two part lecture series was held where Mr. Numina discussed graffiti history and the history of art and activism. 

The Mercer Village Mural was a collaborative effort between Mr. Numina and various stakeholders at Mercer University. The design of the mural was based on counsel with colleagues, friends, and students at Mercer. The mural’s theme of standing up for your rights spoke to many locals and visitors that had the opportunity to see the mural in person. It tells the awe-inspiring story of significant moments and heroes throughout African American history. It included depictions of black civil war soldiers; Martin Delany, a civil war physician; Sam Oni, the Mercer University’s first black student; Rosa Parks; and silhouettes of black athletes kneeling. Above all, the intent behind the mural was for it to be an artwork that represented Black Lives Matter, Civil Rights, and Black Civil War soldiers in a state where confederate monuments are protected, despite the negative connotation they epitomize. It vibrantly illustrated the necessary and continuous fight for equal legal rights among all citizens of the United States. 

The Threat

It was erased by Mercer University in April 2020, with no communication prior to the mural’s removal. While the university has stated that the mural was meant to be a “pop-up” art demonstration project and not permanent, this was not agreed upon at the time of the mural’s design and completion.  

Efforts to Save Mercer Village Mural

Since the mural’s destruction, Mercer students have started a petition to have Mr. Numina come back to Georgia and paint a new mural. This new mural project would be a collaboration with 5 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists who would paint individual permanent works around the Downtown Macon area. 

Who Should Be Held Accountable

Mercer University should be held accountable for this. As of July 2020, there has been no response from the university regarding the mural’s erasure.

Photo Gallery

*Images courtesy of Craig Coleman and Joerael Numina