Due to repeated acts of vandalism, a Black history mural project has moved

When Lucy Ray was selected to paint a public mural of Anna Murray Douglass, Frederick Douglass' first wife, she planned for it to be a homage to the Black woman who, until recently, had been largely unsung.

But the mural's progress was interrupted by vandalism. Twice.

For Ray — artwork destroyed — her disappointment was in not being able to honor Murray Douglass.

"This project wasn't about me," Ray said. "It was about representing her and making these women's stories known and advocating for their voices. They had gone through so much more in their lifetimes."

More:'The Douglass Women': Who were Anna Murray Douglass and Rosetta Douglass Sprague?

The nonprofit 540WMain had asked Ray and LaShonda Davis, another local artist, to create murals of "the Douglass women" on electrical utility boxes at Monroe Avenue and Alexander Street. Davis was tasked with painting Rosetta Douglass Sprague, who was Anna and Frederick's eldest daughter.

Ray's "tenacity" as she attempted to work through the vandalism is admirable, Davis said.

Davis, on the other hand, never got a chance to start her piece. Each time she primed her box for painting, offensive messages written with sharpies would later appear.

"It seems like this project's presence just gave people an opportunity to vent about hot-button issues," Davis said. "Maybe it's (because of) the presence of a Black face on the corner of Monroe and Alexander."

After the murals were tampered with multiple times, organizers moved the project to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center.

"I am 100% comfortable with this direction," Davis said. "I think relocating the artwork to a safe space is definitely the way to go. I think it will be well received there."

Using art to honor the Douglass women

The story of Anna Murray Douglass aiding her husband Frederick to freedom by sewing him a sailor's costume is what resonates with Davis, the artist said.

"Imagine that," Davis said. "Your life is on the line, and your ability to be recognized as a human being depends on your outfit. My mother worked with clothes and always said I needed to carry myself a certain way. Details matter."

Douglass Sprague's career as an author, specifically her writings on her mother, inspired Ray to perfect her portrait of the younger Douglass woman.

Though disappointed, the painter was happy the public got to see the finished mural, even if it was for a short time.

"Part of this project is bringing those stories to light," Ray said.

How to view the Douglass women tributes

The exhibition "As I Recall Her: Artists Expand the Legacy of the Douglass Women" will feature the murals crafted by Ray and Davis while showcasing the work of artists of all media and creative practices dedicated to the Douglass women.

"All artists of all backgrounds are invited to submit," Bleu Cease said of the exhibits' open call for submissions.

Cease, executive director of the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, said he is excited to see how local artists bring the city's past to life.

"I think our history is a jumping-off point for a rich and diverse art community," Cease said.

"As I Recall Her: Artists Expand the Legacy of the Douglass Women" will run from March 3 to May 6, at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave. Suite 203, Rochester. Artists' submissions are due by 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22.

For more information, see http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Douglass women murals defaced in Rochester, moving to RoCo exhibit