In the aftermath of the unrest following the death of Michael Brown, artists of all skill levels and backgrounds came together to transform the boarded-up storefronts in Ferguson and along South Grand through the power of art. Those blank plywood facades went from being grim reminders of our failings to colorful and hopeful signposts on the way to reconciliation and mutual empathy. Those original murals of doves and mandalas and affirmations of peace and community were taken down and preserved during the rebuilding process so that they could go on display at a later date. The time is now.
Outside In: Paint for Peace, the new exhibition in the Millstone Gallery at the Center of Creative Arts (524 Trinity Avenue, University City;
www.cocastl.org), is a selection of those Ferguson murals. More of them will be displayed concurrently at the Ferguson Youth Initiative, Missouri History Museum, Vaughn Cultural Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis' Gallery 210 and the Sheldon.
Outside In: Paint for Peace remains up at COCA from August 27 to October 30. Admission is free.