BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, which manages the Baltimore Mural Program, celebrated the restoration of one of the largest murals designed by Tom Miller (1945-2000), one of Baltimore’s most iconic muralists.
Miller is a renowned Baltimore artist most known for his unique “Afro-Deco” style and for fighting racial stereotypes aimed towards African Americans though the use of stylized images in his work.
The cost of the mural’s restoration $30,000 was fully funded with Casino Local Impact Grant (LIG) funds from the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore as a collaboration of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, the Baltimore Casino Local Development Corporation (LDC) and the City of Baltimore under Mayor Catherine E. Pugh.
Located at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Cherry Hill Branch, the mural was originally painted in 1987, the same year the artist earned his master’s degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. After 30 years, local artist Shawn James of Mural Masters was commissioned to restore this important landmark.
“It’s gratifying to see this important landmark restored to its original beauty,” said Mayor Pugh. “I congratulate BOPA and the Cherry Hill community for having the vision to use local impact grant funds for this creative neighborhood investment.”
This project has long been supported by the LDC, the body of state elected officials, community, business and institutional representatives that advises the Mayor on use of LIG funds in South Baltimore.
“The Miller Mural has become an icon for the Cherry Hill community. Its artistic and cultural identification with the community serves as an inspiration to continue the revitalization of the Cherry Hill community with art and culture as its cornerstone. We are thrilled to celebrate its restoration,” said Michael Middleton, Chairman of the Cherry Hill Community Coalition.