An explosion of color has recently breathed new life into downtown Bremerton.
This vibrant addition on the 4th Street parking garage near the Roxy Theatre and Kitsap History Museum comes in the form of a mural commissioned for $45,000 by the city of Bremerton and crafted by Louisiana-based public artist KaDavien Baylor.
Central to developing the Quincy Square Project, the mural wishes to rejuvenate the Fourth Street and Pacific Avenue intersection.
The idea for The Quincy Mural stems from the bigger Quincy Square Project that sprouted from a deeply rooted desire within the community to beautify a well-known part of the city.
As detailed on the city website, the initiative was propelled forward by a “grassroots consortium of active and interested citizens, professional groups and developers.” With Quincy Jones’ blessing, they shared a vision to restore the charm of 4th Avenue, a hub of commerce and daily life.
According to the project description, the mural is part of a wider street improvement designed for “everyone and every ability,” with goals such as “street furniture, festival lighting and interactive musical equipment.” The project’s ambition was also to pay homage to a legendary musical figure, Jones, whose ties to the city run deep.
Jones’ connection to Bremerton is both historical and heartfelt. In his youth, Jones lived in Kitsap County and experienced a pivotal moment in Sinclair Heights Armory, a community center in the segregated Sinclair Park neighborhood. It was there, amid the stillness of the offices, that he stumbled upon a piano, which is now in the nearby museum. The decision to play was spontaneous, yet it marked the beginning of his lifelong journey with music, during which he found peace and purpose. Jones’ illustrious career made him an icon in pop culture and a vocal advocate for civil rights.
Jones is not the only person featured on the mural. It also features musical stars Micheal Jackson and Ray Charles, along with a vignette of Bremerton’s “Black Trailblazers,” including Marty Crutcher, veteran Willis Papillion, John Henry Turpin, Leroy Williams, Larry Robertson, Lillian Walker, Loxie and Alice Eagan, Al Colvin, Dianna Robinson, Roosevelt Smith and Marie Greer. Each worked to better Bremerton and left distinguished marks on the city through their accomplishments, which can be found on the Black Trailblazers of Kitsap County page on the Kitsap Museum website.
The idea for The Quincy Mural received a $2.5 million federal grant for construction of Quincy Square, a $1.75 million state grant and a city contribution of $ $805,000. The mural is still being completed with hopes of adding a Quincy Jones bronze sculpture with future goals such as “street furniture, festival lighting and interactive musical equipment” to revitalize the urban center connecting the community with celebration and history.
The mural already is becoming somewhat of a tourist attraction, as folks here are seen taking pictures of it.
