Arkansas Heritage Public Art Grant landed by Main Street West Memphis

New mural to honor Memphis Horns

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

One can hardly drive anywhere in West Memphis without seeing one. Murals have popped up everywhere in the city over the last ten years. Main Street received another award from the Arkansas Heritage Public Art Grant. Main Street Director Deborah Abernathy explained the latest funding.

”This is a competitive grant, and we are thrilled that we have been the recipient once before for the Musical Heritage mural at 10th and Broadway,” said Abernathy. “These latest funds will be used to create a mural on the east side of 1223 E. Broadway, which is the east end of the Main Street District. The subject is titled “Legendary Soul” about Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love.”

The late trumpeter Wayne Jackson was a native West Memphian and well known in the music industry winning a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. He had been a member of the Mar-Keys, the Stax house band, the Memphis Horns. Wikipedia cited that pair playing sax and trumpet “as arguably the greatest soul horn section ever.”

Jackson and his musical cohort from Memphis, saxophonist Andrew Love, were born just three days apart. The duo played together at Stax creating the “signature”

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horn blends for Otis Redding along with Sam and Dave.

The artist, Stephanie Petet, was chosen for the mural from many applicants according to Arkansas Heritage guidelines. The work on the mural was scheduled begin in the spring.