New mural brightens E. Ward, shows history
Photos by Mayeesa Mitchell The mural located on the side of the 14th Street Discount features historical locations and local legends from the East Ward.
By Mayeesa Mitchell
For The Chronicle
The residents of the East Ward gathered on the corner of 14th Street and Cameron Avenue for the unveiling of a mural featuring East Ward landmarks and notable residents.
The mural, which is located on the side of 14th Street Discount, was designed and drawn by artists Marianne DiNiapoli-Mylet and Donell Williams.
“It’s the story of the neighborhood,” said DiNiapoli-Mylet on Wednesday, Nov. 11. “A celebration of the people who grew up here and represent the neighborhood.”
The idea of the mural was first introduced five years ago by Marva Reid, President of the East/Northeast Winston Neighborhood Association. She pitched the idea to City Councilman Derwin Montgomery and he tagged the association to partner with Marianne DiNiapoli-Mylet on the project.
“Not too long ago Marva called me and said, ‘I found the wall,’” said DiNiapoli-Mylet.
To this point, they had been searching for a visible wall that had a large enough surface to tell the story of the neighborhood.
Once the wall was found, DiNiapoli-Mylet and Williams began planning the design in June 2015 and started painting the mural in August 2015. They worked on it every day, unless it was raining, until the unveiling.
The mural features a basic street map of the neighborhood in the background with snapshots over top featuring landmarks like the 14th Street School and important people like 1st Lt. Spurgeon Ellington, who won the Distinguished Flying Cross Award.
They also celebrated the transformation of the city in the section of the mural labeled “Back 2 The Future!,” which features a then-and-now split image of the 14th Street Discount with a copy of The Chronicle flying in the wind.
“My favorite thing was the reaction of the neighborhood,” said DiNiapoli-Mylet. “They’ve been so enthusiastic.”
Many residents at the block party style unveiling echoed their enthusiasm about the mural.
“I love it,” said Lorandia Walters, who grew up in the area and still comes back to visit her mother and uncle. “It is what this neighborhood used to be.”
Not only is the mural a reminder of the historical prevalence of Winston Salem’s largest African-American community, it is also a reminder to everyone that the East Ward will continue to thrive.
“We needed this to be done to feel more investment in East Winston,” said Reid. “Thanks to Donell and Marianne, they see us.”
