Frank Juárez

Murals have fascinated me since the early 2000s because of the transformative impact they can have on a community. Murals, often referred to as public art, can vary in size, style, and purpose, often resulting in a range of reactions and responses. But when a mural has an effective message, it can bring people together and build community.

When I read that Chicago-based artist Damon Lamar Reed is one of the featured artists presenting at the NAEA National Convention’s Artist Series—and that his work is centered on murals—I was eager to speak with him.

Early Beginnings
Reed graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1999. During his final semester, he took a course on the history of mural painting taught by muralist Bernard Williams. This class piqued his curiosity and left a lasting impression, sparking a deeper interest in the social and historical dimensions of public art. That interest eventually lead to an opportunity to work with Williams as an assistant. This experience set Reed on a trajectory into the world of murals and public art, a path he has followed for twenty-five years.

When a mural has an effective message, it can bring people together and build community.

Mural Work
Reed’s work is motivated by what he refers to as “inspirational narrative,” resulting in colorful and dynamic compositions. Most of his murals can be found throughout the Chicago Public School System. To date, he has created more than one hundred murals, working with K–12 students both indoors and outdoors. Some of his painted murals incorporate mosaic pieces. He has also produced murals on college and university campuses.

Mural work is extensive, involving many moving parts such as budgets, conceptual development, approval processes, materials, permits, and pricing. Reed emphasized how important it is to put business-of-art practices into play to sustain an art career. We both agreed that roughly 80% of the work is dedicated to the business of art and 20% to the creative side.

Materials and Process
As our conversation continued, we dove a bit deeper into Reedʼs creative process. His studio practice includes spending hours working on his digital designs, exploring ideas, compositions, and color choices for new murals. He notes that his designs often take longer than the murals themselves, which he creates at his studio with two to three assistants.

To create his murals, Reed uses a substrate called Polytab, a non-woven material that comes in five-foot rolls. This material allows him the flexibility and convenience to work at different locations, as it can easily be transported. One benefit of using Polytab is that it takes less time to install a mural than if he were to create it onsite. Reed explains, “Believe it or not, the material holds longer than a painting on a wall because the paint seeps into the material and can take longer to fade over time.” The Polytab sections are affixed to wood panels with a mural adhesive gel before the panels are installed on interior or exterior walls. Afterwards, the work is sealed with gloss medium or varnish.

Fueled by Hope
I often think about what informs an artistʼs practice. What influences or inspires someone to create? For Reed, the answer is hope. What that looks like visually can communicate a narrative that people can relate to. The art of telling a story and connecting people from all walks of life, layered with elements and meaning, provides the perfect opportunity for engagement.

Ideas can happen at any time, but for Reed, listening to students and community groups fuels his creative spirit. One of the best ways to begin that conversation is to address a communal problem by using art to find a solution.

A Parting Wish
I concluded our discussion by asking Reed what message he wanted NAEA attendees to leave with. Much of his creative journey has taken place within the Chicago Public Schools. He is driven by how creativity can inspire students, and how his work can influence them to make a difference. Reed would like to see students pursue whatever they want in life. Having a career is important, he notes, but you also need a purpose. “A purpose is to help someone else,” says Reed. Ultimately, he wants people to experience joy, hope, and love through his work.

Frank Juárez is editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, art department chair at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and publisher of Artdose magazine. fjuarez@schoolartsmagazine.com