In the summer of 2022, a beautiful mural of Eva Cassidy was created in historic downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Designed and rendered under the auspices of nonprofit Future History Now, the Eva mural is one of many eye-catching works of public art beautifying the sides and backs of buildings in Maryland’s capital city. The mural is painted on the back of the building at 116 Cathedral Street, and is best viewed in the parking lot of Stan and Joe’s Saloon at 37 West Street.
Future History Now (FHN), per their website, “is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that facilitates collaborative mural projects with youth facing adversity in underserved communities.” Their mural projects include depictions of Pearl Bailey, Thurgood Marshall & Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breonna Taylor, and Harriet Tubman. Because the Eva Cassidy mural project was planned for the historic district, approval by the Historic Preservation Commission was required. The design, by FHN co-founders Jeff Huntington and Julia Gibb, is based on a photo of Eva taken by photographer Matthew Dols.
Jeff Huntington told me more about the history of the project. “About a decade ago I targeted this space for a mural because it is a non-historic piece of concrete that was covered in mildew and graffiti. I thought it could use a mural.
“It did take 7 years to get the green light to paint the wall. Locals were afraid to allow a mural because it’s in the historic district and there’s a knee-jerk reaction to any public art proposed within said designated area.”
The photo on which the mural is based was taken by Matthew Dols in January, 1996, a few days after the Blues Alley recordings sessions. Jeff Huntington recalls, “I reached out to Matthew and licensed his photo for use as source material. I was excited to find out we both attended the Corcoran School of Art at the same time, but in different departments. He was kind and generous.”
According to the FHN Website, the Eva Cassidy Mural project was a collaboration between FHN’s Stephanie Baker, Julia Gibb, Marion Macdonald, Danah Koch, and Jeff Huntington; FHN young artists Jabriel Simms, Shamierah Chase, Athan Huntington, and Angeles Huntington; and funding from Pepsi Beverages Company, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, and a private donation.
DEDICATION EVENT: The mural in downtown Annapolis was officially dedicated Sunday, August 21st, 2022, in Stan & Joe’s Parking Lot, 39 West Street. Future History Now definitely knows how to throw a party. The parking lot was crowded with artists, live local musicians (including Eva’s father Hugh “Fitz” Cassidy, playing cello with The Befuddlers, and Eva’s friend Meg Murray), Eva’s family and friends, Annapolis officials, and some passing tourists eager to join in the fun and refreshments. Eva’s mother, Barbara Cassidy, later described the event as “a pure love-fest.”
People who knew Eva were eager to share recollections of Eva’s own accomplishments as a visual artist. She had painted many murals herself, both inside private homes, and as a part-time job in elementary school cafeterias, rendering the playful designs of Maggie Haven. How appropriate, then, for Eva to be represented in a mural in her beloved Annapolis. Eva Cassidy had previously been honored in the city of her birth, Washington DC, and in her hometown suburb of Bowie, but the mural represented the first time the city she adopted as her own, later in life, had recognized the singer. Eva’s last apartment in Annapolis was within walking distance of the historic area, with its cozy basement music venues, the old houses and waterfront she loved, and the arts center where she took pottery classes.
The Baltimore Sun website has some excellent photos taken at the dedication for its Annapolis affiliate, the Capital Gazette. The local CBS news affiliate also covered the event.
PICTURES: For more photos of the mural, and a time-lapse video of the work as it progressed, visit the Future History Now website.
TO VISIT THE MURAL:
Look for the Eva Cassidy Mural between 37 and 45 West Street, in the parking lot for Stan & Joe’s Saloon. While you’re there, why not spend some time walking around the historic area? There are wonderful restaurants, shops, and galleries. The Visitors Center is at 26 West Street, and guided walking tours leave from there. You can learn about life in Colonial-era Maryland, and visit the Maryland State House.
Note that parking is very difficult in downtown Annapolis. The nearest large garage is probably Gott’s Court Garage, run by the city, located at 25 Northwest Street, with another entrance on Calvert. Don’t park in the lot at Stan & Joe’s Saloon, where the mural is, unless you’re eating there. (I hear it’s quite good, though.)
