ROANOKE, Va. – With gentle strokes of a paintbrush, people from all walks of life have gathered over the past few months at Melrose Plaza to add their own personal touches to a community mural that stretches across the exterior of Market on Melrose. This vibrant and colorful artwork, displaying symbols of unity, camaraderie, and joy, serves as a mirror reflecting what it hopes to evoke in both viewers and artists alike, as the many hands of our community continue to shape the masterpiece.
The mural, titled Rooted in Joy, is part of a broader community initiative, the Melrose Plaza, which is set to officially open its doors next Thursday, July 31, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Esteemed local artist Bryce Cobbs, whose work garners national attention, designed the mural. While he has led numerous public art projects in Roanoke, such as the design for the Henrietta Lacks statue in the heart of downtown, he explained this project was unlike any before. It marks the first time he has worked side-by-side with community members to complete a piece.
“I grew up going past this building and seeing all the different things that the building has been in the past, and then kind of having this impact where I get a chance to kind of put my own footprint in the community through this art piece, it’s just humbling,” said Cobbs. “It’s amazing to see and to experience, and I’m thankful that the community has accepted my gifts, and we’ve all teamed up together to kind of take on such a beautiful thing.”…