August 2023

“Speak and We Will Listen”

by Chiomma Hall
for Laura Patricia Calle Grant
📍 Crawford W Long Middle School

As part of Living Walls' annual Laura Patricia Calle Grant, Chiomma Hall was selected to create "Speak and We Will Listen," a dynamic mural aimed at promoting positive mental health and emotional resilience by engaging students at Crawford W. Long Middle School. Inspired by Faith Ringgold's Tar Beach, vibrant imagery of students soaring toward their dreams, engaging in rest, play, and reflection becomes a catalyst for personal growth, determination, and resilience. Students from each grade created symbols in response to the following consecutive prompts: What makes you feel happy and rested? What are your favorite ways to express yourself? What do you need from your community?

Chiomma Hall (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist and children's book illustrator based in Atlanta, GA. They received their B.A. in Art History from Auburn University in 2018. Her work explores identity and connection via a practice of play and gentleness as an Black nonbinary femme in the South.

Their mission is to bring chosen families and communities together for collective healing. When they aren’t doodling, they can be found constantly pivoting, baking sweets, and drinking tea with loved ones.

Artist Assistants Cienna Minniefield, Pia Muhihu
Photos Talecia Tucker

Thank you to Selig Enterprises, Communities in Schools of Atlanta, and Crawford W Long Middle School staff & students!

Student Artists: (6th) Jayden Dixon, Tashawn Beasley, Ashton Clark, San'tonio Smith, Erianna Davis, Jeffrey Turner, Sahara Jordan, Caleb Edwards, and Yor D. Bol. (7th) Jocelyn Jones, Cazmere Allen, Mikiah Jackson, Melvin Turner, Dominique Warner, Kennedi Evans, Kamori Walker, and Mhakai Scott. (8th) Brianna Davis, Jalen Bailey, Taylor Jackson, Aguon Deng, Isaiah Ware, Zion Ware, Zakhi Al-Karim and Ny'Shawn Evans.

 

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