This 12’x16’ vibrant mural was created by Rachel Wolfe Goldsmith in response to the We Rise Committee goals of inspiring beauty, hope, change, unity and integrity. The We Rise Committee was formed to provide leadership opportunities for Black youth in Eugene to directly impact their City’s downtown cultural landscape and the current City narrative around Black youth culture.
Lane Community College provided a location for Rachel Wolfe Goldsmith to paint the mural panels, while their students were able to see the artist’s process. A Lane Community College facilities crew installed the artwork on their facility at Mary Spilde Center Downtown.
Background
We Rise is a program first offered in 2019 that leverages art, performance and creative expression to bring young people of color together in downtown Eugene. WE RISE shifted in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions and brought back together Black and African American youth to form a downtown artist selection committee to create a mural to respond to the current social justice movement.
The committee selected Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, a Bay Area muralist who was raised in Eugene. Wolfe-Goldsmith's work will highlight the presence and impact of Black and African American youth in Eugene.
Special thanks to the Community Selection Committee:
Bishop Loury
Keyshawn Nauden
Sitota Tofte
Carlos Rasmussen
Project Coordinators Kevin Summerfield and Tara Burke
Brought to you in partnership with City of Eugene Cultural Services and Lane Community College.
