Ascension Underpass Mural Opening

If you drive into downtown by way of Marshall Street, you are familiar with the unattractive section under I-20. It feels more like a barricade than an invitation to enter.

The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce’ Leadership Class decided some months ago that they wanted to turn the columns of the elevated roadway into vibrant, welcoming art – and they have been rallying supporters and sponsors to their cause.

An early and influential advocate of the project was Councilwoman LeVette Fuller, the District B rep who has been supportive of murals and beautification efforts throughout her district. She was able to jumpstart the effort with some funding made available to all the council districts. The Chamber Leadership class also asked friends, businesses and other supporters for donations to help pay the tab on their project and a number of businesses and other entities eagerly signed on with both donations of money and in-kind support.

Leadership class member Ka’Davien Baylor advocated for the beautification project.

What made the decision much easier to support was that muralist and artist Ka’Davien (KD) Baylor was part of the Leadership group this year. KD has a long history of serious, large-scale, on-budget commercial works. He knows how to plan for them, the equipment, paint and time needed for completion and how to tutor and motivate a team of artists who might have different levels of mural experience and ability. He coordinated a team that includes Ben Moss, Eric Francis and Willie Love, all wonderful artists in their own right.

The mural is intentionally colorful to counteract the drab and shaded surroundings and the butterflies that will be painted on different poles will express the ‘aspirations of continued positive transformation of the Shreveport/Bossier City community.’

”When we come back and look at it, It’s hard to believe that’s something that you did especially when you get the community involved it’s something really special and amazing,” Francis said.

Artists Ben Moss, Ka’Davien Baylor, Eric Francis, and Willie A. Love took on the project. Ben and Ka’Davien came up with the design concept.

“I believe public art projects are particularly important for a city such as Shreveport because there are many communities within the city that could use spiritual boosting and encouragement. Public art has the power to do this while providing an awareness of investment and ownership for local citizens,” says Baylor. “Art in public spaces reflects and reveals our society, enhances meaning in our civic areas, and adds uniqueness to our communities. I have been honored to work on several projects that I believe have started transformation within our local communities. I hope to continue to work with public art that heals communities through the creation of landmarks.”