The city of Ypsilanti recently installed a 24-foot-by-11-foot mural depicting a number of the city's landmarks and symbols on the side of city hall. The theme is a visual depiction of the eclectic city's history and culture, honoring both longtime residents and newcomers.
"We have to find a way to engage visitors and new residents in this city," says Jermaine Dickerson, the creator of the mural. "This is one of the first things they will see."
The mural is on the back of city hall at 1 S Huron so it is visible to traffic coming into downtown from the I-94 freeway exit. The icons on the mural include Harriet Tubman, who symbolizes Ypsilanti's status as a stop in the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves in 19th Century America. There are also depictions of the local houses, businesses, and institutions, like the Firehouse Museum. The mural features a lot of greenery paying homage to the city's extensive park system and a rubber ducky which represents the Heritage Festival's renown rubber duck race.
"My biggest goal is to create a piece that represents Ypsilanti but is also a little whimsical," Dickerson says.
Dickerson works as a graphic designer and illustrator in Ypsilanti after graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 2014 with a bachelors in graphic design. He is a Mt. Clemens native who now calls Ypsilanti home. Check out more of his creative work on his website
here.
Source: Jermaine Dickerson, the creator of the mural
Writer: Jon Zemke
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