The year ended on a high note for Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) as it celebrated the unveiling of the new Patrick Maxcy mural at the Riverside Arts Market.
Representatives from RAP, RAM, JEA and other project and city stakeholders spoke at the Dec. 12 unveiling ceremony.
“Abundant Waters” is a 17-by-90-foot mural that stretches across the walls of the JEA pump station and depicts wildlife, flora and fauna connected to the St. Johns River, which serves as the backdrop to the weekly open-air market beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Maxcy, a Northeast Florida artist, spent more than 100 hours bringing the mural to life. At the ceremony, he said this work is the first piece he’s created in the region he is from and, as such, holds special significance to him.
“I really was excited to paint this,” Maxcy said. “Not just having something close to home, but in a place that actually I come with my family, coming to the skate park, coming to the Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays. It’s great to be part of that community and then see something that I worked on.”
Adding an interactive element to his work, Maxcy noted that he placed 10 hidden hearts throughout the mural. Maxcy explained that he has a long-standing tradition of placing hidden objects in his work – his initials or other elements – but the hearts began as a heartfelt nod to his wife to show her she was part of his work as well.
Artist Patrick Maxcy and RAP Creating Placemaking Specialist Kandice Clark post before a section of “Abundant Waters” at the Dec. 12 mural unveiling.
“I hope it makes people come out and see [the mural] more and find them with their kids,” Maxcy added.
The mural was funded by Haskell, the PNC Foundation and the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board. Haymaker Coffee Co. also contributed to the fund by donating a percentage of its sales over a period last year. Maxcy was selected from a pool of 70 artist applicants following a seven-week call for artists.
RAP Creative Placemaking Specialist Kandice Clark led the project and said this mural furthers RAP’s placemaking goals.
“One of RAP’s major goals is to make sure – it’s very simple, but it’s very important – that we make this place a better place for not only the people who live here, but also the people who love it here, and today’s unveiling is a true reflection of that mission.”