In 2015, I started seeing some photos popping up on social media. All of them with beautifully painted murals on walls of what looked like an abandoned building, with the hashtag Fleet Street (#fleetstreet). I started poking around and found out that it was a project that sought to use art to uplift those who resided in the community of Parade Gardens.
The project, Paint Jamaica, was started by Marianna Farag, a native of France who now resides in Jamaica. See full write up on the how the project started in the article: This Art-Covered Street Should Be Your First Stop in Jamaica by Island Outpost.
Really wanting to visit the site of the project for some time now, I messaged Paint Jamaica on their Facebook page. They informed me that they were starting a new set of murals on Saturday, June 18th. I decided to ring up a friend of mine, Tyrone, who took the time out to take me to the project site and give me a quick tour.
As I made that right turn onto Fleet Street, I was greeted with bright, attention-grabbing colours of murals on both sides of the road. We parked and I was given the mini tour and got introduced to Marianna and other persons associated with the project.
While there I got to meet some of the volunteers who had been there helping with the start of the new set of murals. Art-infused volunteerism really blanketed the environment and saturated the air with friendships and laughter. Go follow them on FB and keep up-to-date with the schedule for new projects and lend a hand and some time in this beautiful project.
