Though the actual repainting can’t begin until warmer weather arrives, the community is pitching in with monetary donations, security cameras and lighting to help restore and protect the mural at Kendall Perkins Park that was defaced with racist messages earlier this month.
After the mural — meant to celebrate Black history — was vandalized, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance and artist Aaron Kizer decided they would do whatever they could to recreate it.
Rafe Buckner, president of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, said a number of individuals and businesses had donated more than $4,000 to the project thus far.
That’s not enough money to have Kizer repaint what was destroyed, but Buckner said he was hopeful more donations would come in before the project kicks off — hopefully by early Spring, he said.
Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said Fiscal Court had already pledged to donate up to $5,000 for needed expenses.
“We asked them to spend the money and send us a bill to refund their expenses,” he said.
As for the act of vandalism, Mattingly said the Daviess County community would not allow hate to win.
“That’s not the kind of community I think we have, and that’s not the kind of community I think we want to put up with,” he said.
Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock said the City of Owensboro also planned on donating to the repainting project. Though Hancock was still crunching the numbers in the City’s budget, he said the City planned to provide about $2,500.
“It’s such a tragic event — the ugliness coming out on such an amazing piece,” Hancock said. “What they’re trying to accomplish is something to be proud of. It’s amazing. It warms your heart to see the kindness coming from members of the community who’ve supported Rafe Buckner and Aaron Kizer with donations.”
Buckner said a group of people tried to remove the racial slurs that had been painted over the mural before deciding the damage was too severe.
“We realized how bad they’d messed it up and that it was going to have to be completely redone,” he said. “We’ve had a decent amount donated so far. It’s not enough to redo it yet, but [people can still donate].”
However, four new security cameras and additional lighting have been donated, providing an extra layer of security for the mural. Those items will be invaluable once the repainting process gets started, Buckner said.
“People have told me they can tell a difference,” Buckner said. “Lighting has always been something [the neighborhood alliance] has talked about doing at the park, even before this happened.”
According to Buckner, Kizer said if they started now the paint could start chipping off once the weather gets warmer. If the vandalization had occurred in the summer, Kizer could’ve repainted it in two days, Buckner said.
Even though both parties must wait it out another couple of months, that gives the NNA more time to secure the donations needed to bring their mural back to life. Those interested in donating can contact Adrienne Carrico at [email protected].
“We want to make sure folks know that we really appreciate the people who have given to this,” Buckner said. “We’ve had so many people reach out. People have volunteered pressure washers, we’ve gotten support from City Hall and they’re doing everything they can to help us. It really means a lot to us.”
