This mural is the work of Eli Childers, who painted it in 2020 . It is pained on a curved divider wall on the back side of the Arts Center of MS in downtown Jackson, where they hold ballet classes. The Center's tenants include Ballet Mississippi, The Greater Jackson Arts Council, USA International Ballet Competition, Mississippi Jazz Foundation, Mississippi Opera, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and VSA Mississippi. The wall is perfectly placed not only because of being on a wall of a place that has ballet instruction, but because it also faces the Mississippi Museum of art and is next door to Thalia Mara Hall. Childers shared a story of when he started the mural and was doing the outlines, there was a ballet class letting out and students and instructors were so excited as they passed by.
The mural was commissioned. by Downtown Jackson Partners and the supplies were provided by the Mississippi Arts Commission.
The mural is a very interesting piece and looks like two different murals. It depicts 3 young girls ballet dancing and a large green dragon next to them with a mist of musical notes coming out of its nose. It is et against a black background that makes the colors pop. It is very detailed and I love how he wraps it around the wall. You will find the dragons tail coiled up. Taking up the entire backside of the wall. It is a very nice piece and is in excellent shape. It has a magical/wonder vibe and demands your attention.
There is a small parking lot, with reserved spots, right next to the mural that you may be able to find a spot, park, get out and take a closer look. There is also metered street parking available within a reasonable walking distance. I just pulled into the lot and had no issues.
Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, such as the Mississippi Museum of Art, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. read more