Thanks to the watchful eyes and commitment of volunteer Alexander Parker one of our most beloved murals, “Journey to Freedom”, recently underwent treatment.
Located at the Freedom Trail underpass, “Journey to Freedom” is a mixed media mural installation that celebrates the contribution of women to the Civil Rights Movement.
The area is a particularly vulnerable target for tagging. However, thanks to Parker’s vigilance the mural has been restored to its former glory. A nearby resident, Parker frequents the path and has noticed the repeated tagging of the public art installation. In support of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ (OCA) Public Art Conservation Team, Parker began volunteering his time to help watch for new graffiti tags and help cover up graffiti on certain, specified areas of the mural.
Parker, who is often accompanied by his wife, Jill Savitt, the President and CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, volunteered to help keep the neighborhood looking beautiful for all residents and visitors, stating, “Where you walk is as much a part of your home as your actual home.”
When asked what he likes most about participating as a volunteer, Alexander commented, “I like doing something in my own community, plain and simple. It’s also nice when people out of the blue thank me for what I am doing!”
Even in light of recent events, the OCA continues to discourage graffiti and preserve public works of art. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs is thrilled to have volunteers like Parker support our efforts to protect these cultural beacons during such harrowing times.