WS Chronicle

There are dozens of murals throughout the city of Winston-Salem, but not many have stood the test time like “The Chronicle” mural located 617 N. Liberty St. on the former home of the city’s oldest and most respected community newspaper.

The mural by Marianne Di Napoli-Mylet painted in 1998 pays homage to the history of the Black Press and features portraits of some of the first Black publishers and editors including Frederick Douglass, Phillip Alexander Bell, John Wesley Cromwell, Mary Ann Shadd, and of course, Ernie Pitt, founder and publisher emeritus of The Chronicle. It also includes images of a printing press and of protestors carrying signs. 

DiNapoli-Mylet said the mural was commissioned by The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County who had a program called Artiva, which hired teenagers in the summer months to help with different projects throughout the city. In 1998 they reached out to Pitt about painting a mural on the side of The Chronicle. 

Shortly after that, DiNapoli-Mylet met with Pitt and started planning. “He gave me all the information that he wanted in it,” DiNapoli-Mylet continued. “I worked on the design for about three months trying to incorporate all the information. I also did a lot of research and investigating myself.”

DiNapolli-Mylet, who is a native of New Jersey, said the mural was inspired by renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera and African American modernist art from the 1920s and 1930s. She said what she remembers most about painting the mural was connecting with young people she worked with to bring it to life. 

“I just remember the kids being so excited,” she said. “I actually painted all the kids into the mural’s protest and also put my family in as well.”

Although the mural was painted nearly two decades ago and The Chronicle has since moved to its new home, 1300 E. 5th Street, the mural is still as vibrant as ever and it has become a popular spot for pictures and video shoots. The building is now home to Chad’s Chai, an organic loose-leaf tea shop, and Design + by Cassandra Michelle, which specializes in interior design. 

Adding to its historical significance, “The Chronicle” is the first mural painted downtown to be inspired by and dedicated to African Americans. While standing next to the mural last week, DiNapolli-Mylet said she was thrilled to know that people are still enjoying her work. 

“It’s really exciting to know that people are really moved by the work and the best part is murals are just there. You don’t have to go into a gallery to see them. They’re everybody’s murals, they belong to the people,” DiNapolli-Mylet continued. “I’m just thrilled that people still come out and are excited by these things because lately they’ve been painting over a lot of them.” 

The next time you’re in the Arts District, be sure to stop by “The Chronicle” mural and take a photo with history. Be sure to tag The Chronicle on Instagram (@thewschronicle) and Facebook (The Chronicle) and TikTok (@_wschronicle).