Jackson native Sabrina Howard is a conscience-minded artist known for her compelling yet thought-provoking creations. (Photo by Charles A. Smith/JSU)Her mural “Sowing the Seeds of Love” spotlights generational growth. “We can help change the world by what we sow into our children. The knowledge and tools passed down from generation to generation are necessary for sculpting our future,” she said. (Photo by Charles A.
Smith/JSU)The Milton Shoe Hospital mural is a historic preservation project. From 1936 to the early 1970s, Jesse R. Chambliss Sr. operated the Chambliss Shoe Hospital (later called Chambliss Shoe Shop) at the Chambliss Building on Lynch Street.
He kept extensive personal and business records that provide details into the life of a Southern black businessman and civic leader during those years. (Photo courtesy of Grif Griffin)While few may know Sabrina Howard, many undoubtedly have seen her work. That’s because the native Jackson artist and former Jackson State University student has produced murals that grace the city.Her murals include the Blackburn Learning Garden near JSU’s main campus and the downtown Milton Shoe project. Both projects are linked to JSU’s Community Engagement.Howard has been interested in art since age 5, when she was known to make stuffed animals out of clothing.
That burning desire led her to participate in and win more than 70 art competitions while attending Jackson Public Schools.She said art is her calling – a burning desire to satisfy a part of her. “If I can’t create or paint or get an idea out I can’t rest whether it’s by way of canvas, paint, mural or whatever.”Howard’s work caught the attention of Dr. Heather Denné, director of JSU’s Community Engagement, the Center for University-Based Development and Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition. Next, a collaboration developed.In fact, the JSU/Blackburn Learning Garden Mural was completed with a grant from the City of Jackson.
The mural faces the Robert Smith Sr. Parkway and has become a photo backdrop to many families walking along the Parkway.It’s known as the Fertile Ground Project, which uses public art as a medium to inspire dialogue about food access in Jackson. The project recently funded several murals throughout the city.
The newest mural in West Jackson is titled “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and is located at the JSU/Blackburn Learning Garden near the main campus of the university.Denné describes the mural as a “beautiful display of artwork that depicts children planting fresh produce. This mural represents what happens at the JSU/Blackburn Learning Garden. It is an artistic interpretation of the site and adds so much value to the aesthetics of the community, JSU and Blackburn.”Howard emphasized that the “Fertile Ground Project” draws attention to areas known as food deserts in which communities lack access to healthy, nutritious options.
As a result, her mural expresses “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and spotlights generational growth by encouraging children to prepare, plant and consume healthy foods.”We can help change the world by what we sow into our children,” said Howard, referring to the message of the mural. “The knowledge and tools passed down from generation to generation are necessary for sculpting our future. To illustrate this, there is a boy and girl sitting under vegetation that resembles collards with their arm extended. In each hand is another male and female with a similar pose but holding a seedling.
This represents the natural and generational growth cycle.”Among Howard’s pearls of wisdom: “Once an idea is born, it is our responsibility to share that nugget of information with the world. What you have to share may be that one idea someone needs to experience to get to their next level.” (Photo by Charles A. Smith/JSU)