The World Games 2022 and Hibbett | City Gear announced a partnership today that will create four vivid murals painted by local artists on publicly viewed spaces in Jefferson and Shelby counties.
With the theme “It’s the Right Time,” the legacy mural project of The World Games 2022 will promote diversity and inclusion with public artwork featuring messages of acceptance, kindness, teamwork and compassion.
“More than ever, we need positive reminders of all we can achieve when we embrace our differences and work together,” said Nick Sellers, CEO of The World Games 2022. “Our goal with The World Games is not only to bring an exciting international sports competition to Birmingham, but to also leave a legacy of lasting improvements to our community and state. Our legacy mural project is a big part of that effort, and we are thankful to be working with an excellent partner in Hibbett | City Gear.”
Officials from The World Games 2022 and Hibbett | City Gear were on hand to witness artist Meghan McCollum working on the first mural, which is located at Pepper Place off Third Avenue South in Birmingham. The theme of the mural is “It’s the Right Time to Believe in Birmingham.”
“We are excited to partner with The World Games 2022 on the ‘It’s the Right Time’ mural campaign that features talented artists in our community,” said Mike Longo, CEO of Hibbett | City Gear. “We have called Birmingham home for over 75 years and we’re proud to welcome others, like The World Games, to our beautiful city. We are looking forward to seeing these murals come to life and the Opening Ceremony next summer.”
The locations of the three other murals will be announced in the future.
Kathy Boswell, Executive Vice President of The World Games 2022, announced an online contest designed to allow citizens to vote on and determine the theme of one of the murals. Beginning Monday, October 18, The World Games 2022 Birmingham will be hosting a social media campaign to allow fans to choose from 4 different phrases for the final mural. The fan favorite phrase will be announced on social media on Monday, November 8.
Details about the murals are below:
Theme: “It’s the Right Time to Believe in Birmingham”
Artist: Meghan McCollum
Theme: “It’s the Right Time to be One”
Artist: Shawn Fitzwater
Theme: “It’s the Right Time to Love One Another”
Artist: Belinda Youngblood and class from the Fine Arts Academy at Briarwood Christian School
Theme: Based on “Fan Favorite” social media vote
Artist: Marcus Addison
About The World Games 2022:
The World Games 2022 Birmingham is the new generation of global sport competition, welcoming elite athletes from all over the world to compete for gold in 34 unique, multi-disciplinary sports. Featuring 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries, the international event will unite global fans with the Birmingham community in 25+ venues around the greater metropolitan area. The World Games 2022 Birmingham, which marks the 40th anniversary of the event, will take place from July 7-17, 2022 and will generate an estimated $256 million in economic impact. The World Games was established by the International World Games Association, an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The World Games 2022 is organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee. For more information visit TWG2022.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
