Back in 2021, Andrea Saffle and Shawn Harris of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association paid a visit to officials from Christian Services to see what could be done to add some color and vibrancy to the area around Christian Services’ loading dock.
Mission accomplished with the January 22 unveiling of a new mural, titled "Fisher of Men," on the back side of that building at 301 East 2nd Street in downtown Hattiesburg, across from the Lucky Rabbit.
“We’re so very excited to see this mural completed,” said Saffle, who serves as executive director of the downtown association. “It is the amazing power of public art that has really had a growth of civic pride in downtown.
“It’s so great to have a beautiful mural like this right here in downtown. This particular (area) is the hottest new section of downtown, with The Lucky Rabbit, with The Mockingbird and Southern Prohibition, and with our newest rehabilitation project right here at ‘The Ruins.’ This changes the entire dynamic of this whole corner.”
The mural, which was painted by local artist Kym Garraway, features a yellow circle in the center, behind a patterned cross. Different designs – such as waves, birds, fish and sunbeams – emanate from that centerpiece.
“This mural has been a big journey for me,” Garraway said. “In every journey in your life and every project that you do, and in those journeys, you learn things and meet new people.
“(The people who helped me with this) and I have developed a friendship that will last a lifetime. No matter what journey you’re on in your life, you’re going to learn something, and my hope and my dream is that you realize – just like I realize – that this journey God took me on, that He is worthy.”
The mural was made possible with some façade grants obtained by the Hattiesburg Downtown Association, along with donations from the staff of Economy Supply in downtown.
“As a nonprofit in downtown Hattiesburg, it is just a blessing when we are reminded of how many people volunteer to help us make our mission become what it is,” said Maggie West, executive director of Christian Services. “We serve a lot of people, but we could never do it without so much support from our board of directors … their dedication is amazing, and it just keeps us going.
“Every time that someone has spent time volunteering here, it is just multiplied in the Kingdom. It’s just such a blessing that all of our folks are impacted by that. The collaboration and being part of the city has just been fantastic.”
