NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – A new mural in downtown New Bern is in the works, and designer Georgie Nakima is excited to give the building a fresh look.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to fuse some of the totems and elements that build our community, and make something futuristic, colorful, something that could bring a positive vibration to the city,\u201d Nakima says.<\/p>\n
But the new design at 328 South Front Street has been met with some backlash from the community, as it was painted over the former \u2018New Bern Strong\u2019 mural, a dedication to the city\u2019s survival of Hurricane Florence.<\/p>\n
The Craven Arts Council says the mural was a collaboration between them, the former business owner, and the community. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish it had survived a bit longer, it wasn\u2019t even two years old yet, and we\u2019re coming up on the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Florence, so it would have been nice to see that, especially with all the work that the community put into it,\u201d Craven Arts Council Executive Director Jonathan Burger says.<\/p>\n
The building is now owned by Deion King, through his development company, King and Lasso. He says he\u2019s excited for the new design and the meaning behind it. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe painting is actually called \u2018The Wake Up Call,\u2019 so it\u2019s actually meant to kind of rattle and rough some feathers,\u201d King told WITN. <\/p>\n
He says the three individuals depicted in the mural are meant to represent progress, diversity, and inclusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really represents our people in general,\u201d King says. \u201cNot just black, white, Hispanic, just people in general. If it really offends you, it\u2019s a love mural. It\u2019s about love and not hating one another. It\u2019s about supporting and uplifting each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mural is set to be finished next week, but King says the silhouettes of people painted by the community in the previous mural are there to stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI left the silhouette of people there to represent the twin rivers that we have flowing through New Bern, so it is still very symbolic, but it also pays homage to what was there previously,\u201d King says.<\/p>\n
The Craven Arts Council says they ultimately understand the decision to change the mural, as King owns the building and has a right to make those changes.<\/p>\n
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