Luby Community Center mural "They Fought with Words" nears installation; polytab panels used

Metro Arts staff provided an update that the mural for the Luby Community Center, titled They Fought with Words, Leaders, Lawyers, and Educators, is in the final installation phase and is expected to be completed in mid-May.

Staff said artist Alicia led the project and that the mural uses polytab (mural cloth) panels: the installation team is prepping the large wall, smoothing and cleaning surfaces, and will adhere roughly 84 panels to the wall. Staff estimated the onsite installation work by the install team will take about three weeks and that the project will be dedicated after installation is completed. The bottom eight-foot portion of the wall will be painted to tie into the polytab panels and to discourage vandalism.

Metro Arts staff described the mural as participatory-budgeting–funded and as a collaboration between the artist team and Girls Rock. The artist team provided the title and an artist statement used by staff: “A mural to those who use law, voice, and strategy as weapons for good. Justice won not with arms, but with minds and conviction. Their eloquence was resistance. Their strategy was power. The legacy of light in the face of oppression, honoring those who dared to envision a freer tomorrow.” Staff said they will present acceptance and dedication details to the committee after installation is complete.

Committee members praised the work and asked about materials and site constraints, including whether planters or landscaping could be added (staff said sidewalk and ADA clearance limit options). Staff confirmed the polytab material is intended for durability and for future removal if the wall is rebuilt.