Message in My Mural
Message in My Mural is a heartfelt blog by Dr. Ronald McDowell concerning the history-making artwork he created for the Jefferson County Courthouse. The unveiling ceremony was held on April 24, 2018.
Whenever I am chosen to express, in my art, a narrative wanted by those who have commissioned me, my main concern is that the work reflect and convey the client’s goals.
After listening to those who hired me for the Jefferson County mural project, it was clear that they wanted art that would build on the chronological history of John Warner Norton’s work and bring the storyline up-to-date.
Just as Norton’s work (featured below) reflected a 19th century reality, my work hopefully turns the corner into contemporary times, provoking an image and spirit of diversity and inclusion within the Jefferson County family.
I had strong intentions concerning the visual imagery within my mural artwork, which I named “Moving Forward – Justice Is Blind.”
The new mural honors the courthouse as a place where multi-cultural employees provide services to a multi-cultural mix of citizens. It is where legal cases are presented and decided in accordance with the law.
When you enter the lobby of the courthouse from the Linn Park side, you see the mural standing 17 feet tall and displaying a diversity of images:
- The walkway leading up to the courthouse is literal
- The two hands with gavels represent bi-racial judicial authority
- A male and female shaking hands represent gender parity between lawyers
- The indiscernible panel of judges represents diversity on the benches at the Jefferson County Courthouse
- Bi-racial ladies, blind folded suggest that “justice is blind”
- Borrowing from our national bird, the bald eagle encourages strong leadership
- The dove symbolizes peace and good will
- And finally the torch, a common emblem of enlightenment, also says that Jefferson County is moving forward
Finally, my artwork emphasizes that Jefferson County has moved away from slavery, Jim Crow practices and segregation to a time where this community swears allegiance to “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I thank those who entrusted me with the awesome responsibility to update the history of Jefferson County through art that is now displayed in the courthouse lobby welcoming everyone with equal respect.
