Published Jan. 22, 2021
WHAT: Unveiling of Black Lives Matter public artwork at ULM
WHEN: 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2021
WHERE: Bayou Park, across from the ULM Library
The unveiling of the Black Lives Matter public artwork was held at 2 p.m. on Monday,
Jan. 25, 2021, at the University of Louisiana Monroe Library overhang.
On display at Bayou Park, the 16 letters stand individually to spell Black Lives Matter.
Each 4-by-8-foot painted letter is a different artist’s interpretation of the BLM
social justice movement.
ULM Assistant Professor of Art Brooke Foy is one of four area artists who spearheaded
the project, which she said is an initiative “ … to lay the groundwork for community
dialogues focusing on diversity, education, and access to resources. Each letter was
designed and executed by a team of artists and was led by a local Black artist.”
Foy joined artists Rodrecas Davis, Vitus Shell, and KShana Hall Davis of the Black
Creatives Circle of North Louisiana, and a team of volunteers, including ULM students
and alumni, to design, construct, and paint the letters. The project was done at Richwood
Community Center in the fall.
Arrangements and support for the installation at ULM are led by ULM President Ronald
Berry, D.B.A, Office for Student Affairs Vice President Valerie Fields, Ph.D., Office
of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Director Pamela Saulsberry, Ph.D., and
the new Cultural Diversity Council student organization, advisor Brooke Foy, in Student
Life and Leadership.
“Showing the letters at ULM gives the Black Creatives Circle, the Cultural Diversity
Council, and all students that have felt unfairly treated because of the color of
their skin a voice in these times of uncertainty. Partnering with campus organizations
like the Cultural Diversity Council and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
we can work toward ONE ULM & ONE ROE,” said Foy.
