Local news- Press Release
Greensboro North Carolina - Call for Artists Wyndham Rewards Commissions Gillespie Wall Mural Honoring Greensboro Six 29 February 2024 ( news )
Greensboro , state North Carolina ( By Press Release office)
Feb 29,2024
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Plans for a new Greensboro public arts project honoring civil rights pioneers , the Greensboro Six , took a major step forward today with the formal launch of a nationwide search for the mural’s artist .
Slated for installation at historic Gillespie Golf Course , the outdoor project is being commissioned by Wyndham Rewards , title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Wyndham Championship , and overseen by the City of Greensboro in partnership with First Tee - Central Carolina .
“The Greensboro Six didn’t just change the history of Gillespie Golf Course – they helped change the game of golf . With this mural , it’s our hope that we can honor their historic contributions while celebrating the vital role Gillespie continues to play in our community through the work of First Tee , ” said Ryan Wilson , CEO of First Tee - Central Carolina .
A Civil Rights Landmark
In 1955 , one week after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus , six Black men led by Dr . George Simkins started a local movement of their own by defiantly playing a round at the whites - only Gillespie Golf Course . They were later arrested , convicted of trespassing and spent 15 days in jail .
While it took seven years and numerous court cases before Gillespie would desegregate and re - open to all , the Greensboro Six’s actions helped contribute to the Civil Rights Movement , eventually seeing The Greater Greensboro Open ( now the Wyndham Championship ) become the first PGA Tour event in the South to welcome a Black player ( Charlie Sifford ) , and shortly thereafter , the full desegregation of professional golf .
Today , Gillespie is home to First Tee - Central Carolina , a national youth development program using the game of golf to create life - changing opportunities for local youth on and off the course . It also has the distinction of being the first course in North Carolina to offer PGA HOPE ( Helping Our Patriots Everywhere ) , a national program leveraging golf to enhance the wellbeing of active - duty military and veterans and is one of the only courses in the Triad catering to players with spinal injuries and disabilities through adaptive equipment and free programs .
Honoring the Past , Looking to the Future
Artist commission for the project is $30 , 000 inclusive of all related design service , artist time and insurance needs , with additional dollars budgeted for elements including but not limited to , community engagement , materials , equipment required for installation and maintenance .
To be eligible , artists must have within the last three years completed at least one large - scale outdoor mural with a budget of at least $20 , 000 . Applications must be submitted online and include , among other criteria , contact details , a 500 - word statement of interest , relevant work samples , and references . A detailed list of criteria , along with access to the application form , can be found
online
. All submissions must be received no later than 5 pm ET on March 29 .
Following the collection of eligible submissions , three finalists will be selected to move forward in the process with one finalist ultimately being awarded the project in May . All selections will be made by a special committee , consisting of key community figures and organizations . They include:
Chris Simkins – Son of Greensboro Six Member Dr . George Simkins
Will Lowery – North Carolina Native and Golf Media Personality
Olajuwon Ajanaku – Co - Founder of Eastside Golf
Jocquelyn Boone – Chief Creative Economy Officer , City of Greensboro
ChesKesha Cunningham - Dockery - Greensboro Parks & Recreation Commission Chairwoman
Harold Martin – Wyndham Championship Honorary Chair
Davida Martin – Wyndham Championship Honorary Chair
Kimberly Marshall – Chief Human Resource Officer , Travel + Leisure
Monica Melancon – Chief Human Resource Officer , Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Emily Furderer – Senior Manager , Community and Inclusion , PGA TOUR
Mark Lathan – Director of Programs , First Tee - Central Carolina
Terrington Myles – Director of Programs , First Tee – Central Carolina
“Wyndham Rewards recognizes that Gillespie is a local landmark and a spot treasured by the Greensboro community . For that reason , it’s incredibly important that the direction for this project is driven by the local community for the local community - starting with the selection of the mural’s artist . Our hope is that this project finally gives the Greensboro Six the attention they deserve , ” said Lisa Checchio , chief marketing officer , Wyndham Hotels and Resorts .
The Gillespie wall mural honoring the Greensboro Six is slated to be unveiled this August ahead of the 85
thannual Wyndham Championship and is a part of larger efforts surrounding Wyndham Championship Fore! Good , the tournament’s signature philanthropic platform .
For more information , visit
FirstTeeCentralCarolina . org/Mural - Project
.
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