A Mural of Truth

Fredrick McKissack
Of Fort Wayne Ink Spot

If you’ve driven past 918 E. Pontiac Street lately, it’s hard not to have seen the colorful mural “Truth.” Located on the west side of a two-story brick building owned by Vincent Village, the mural was designed by four local artists with ties to the neighborhood: Theoplis Smith, Lyndy Bazile, Teresa Yarbrough and Ron Lewis.

The funding, however, came from outside of the neighborhood. Bill and Peggy Dotterweich approached Vincent Village with an idea to show “solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Southeast Fort Wayne.” But there’s more to this story. In the end, this mural came to be due to people listening to each other with respect. In doing so, the project evolved into something more effective than first imagined.

Dotterweich’s original concept was an image of the Black Madonna ad baby Jesus. However, they agreed with Vincent Village executive director, Denise Anderson, and board president, Jon Christensen, that it was important to get community input before any final decision was made. Vincent Village is a Christian based non-profit that serves homeless families. Instead of Mary and Jesus, a classic Western iconography, the organization suggested adding Joseph to the image to reflect its mission of serving the entire family unit.

Four muralists put input and initial sketches for review. Artistic collaboration isn’t unprecedented, but even with this size group, the camaraderie was appreciated by the artists, too.

“This group is like the Avengers,” said Lewis in a press release. “I am so proud to be working with such talented people. We all bring something unique to the mix and the process has been amazing.”

Neighborhood leaders and community influencers reviewed sketches in multiple brainstorming sessions. The participants included: Pastor Karen Staton of Destiny Life Center, Foundation One of Unity Barber Shop, Diane Rogers of Oxford Neighborhood Association, Megan Chalfant the resident artist of Associated Churches, Tony Ridley of Renaissance Point Neighborhood Association and John Tippmann, Sr. of the Mary Cross Tippmann Foundation that owns the building.

“Among other things, the group discussions evoked memories of robust Pontiac Street block parties,” said Denise Anderson, executive director of Vincent Village, who attended the celebrations after moving to Fort Wayne. “We think this mural can play a similar role as all day long during the painting process, people stop to talk, kids getting off the bus want to watch, and drivers honk and wave as they drive by. It’s already serving as a magnet of joy.”

While no one could have predicted the evolution from the Black Madonna icon to the final design, the road traveled to the end was an exercise in trusting, listening and collaborating that all stemmed from the goal of creating something of joy for Southeast Fort Wayne.

“Ultimately, the process of expanding the circle one layer at a time created a true sense of community validation,” John Christensen wrote in a recent op-ed in The Journal Gazette. “Because it’s important people know their opinion matters. It’s important for people to be asked and invited. And it’s important for people to be able to speak their truth – especially in Southeast Fort Wayne.”