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Tulsa Parks Celebrates the Restoration of Historic Mural at Lacy Park Community Center

2/23/2024
This article was archived on 3/28/2024
The Lacy Park Community Center is hosting an event to celebrate the restoration of the iconic mural that has adorned its walls for 50 years. The public event will take place on Thursday, February 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
 
The mural, which was created in 1974, is an important part of the community and covers an area of approximately 750 square feet. It features 114 individuals and showcases over a century of African American history. The artwork celebrates the progress that African Americans have made throughout the years while also acknowledging that the journey is still ongoing. It tells the story of North Tulsa residents and their resilience through both hardships and triumphs.
 
"We are proud to have restored this iconic mural as it serves as a reminder of the rich African American history and the resilience of the North Tulsa community," Anna America, Chief of Culture and Recreation and Parks Director, said. " We hope that this artwork will continue to inspire and educate future generations."
 
The City commissioned Felix Cole, a 21-year-old commercial art student at the University of Tulsa, to work on the mural in 1974. Cole completed the original project, drawing inspiration from "The Wall of Respect," located on the south side of Chicago. He returned periodically to add new faces and perform touch-ups. Sadly, Mr. Cole passed away in August 2020 at the age of 69 in Detroit, MI.
 
Over the years, the mural has endured significant water damage, resulting in lost color and particulate matter on the entire paint film, as well as some wall loss. In 2023, Tulsa Parks hired conservationist Rick Parker to restore the mural. Parker is a professional conservator with 45 years of experience and has worked on objects from prestigious institutions such as the White House, Mount Vernon, and NASA, among many others. For the restoration of Cole's mural, Parker used a mild cleaning system designed explicitly for acrylic paint to clean the area. He then removed water stains and calcium buildup caused by water damage.
 
After several weeks of meticulous restoration work, the mural is now ready to be viewed by the public. Family members and friends of the original artist, Felix Cole, as well as Rick Parker, the conservationist who restored the mural, will attend the event and give remarks. 
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