RIDGELAND, MS (October 23, 2018) – Northpark’s first public art project is officially underway with the commissioning of Jackson native and visual artist Douglas Panzone. Panzone will be painting a mural located on the interior wall of Northpark’s new Eatery in Ridgeland within the course of two weeks beginning October 25. Currently based in Charleston, S.C., Panzone has built a reputation through the creation of awe-inspiring large-scale murals. Recent projects include a wall mural for HBO’s Vice Principals, two floor murals for his alma mater, the College of Charleston, and a massive mural to promote the upcoming release of the the Charleston-filmed horror flick Halloween. This past May, Panzone completed a celebratory work as part of the Belhaven Heights Mural Project. Coinciding with the recent restoration and designation of the State Capitol as a National Historic Landmark, the mural depicts two children with elements of the local landscape superimposed over an image of the newly restored Mississippi Capitol. Educational and creatively engaging, the mural visualizes a link supporting Jackson’s past and present. An early passion for painting began during Panzone’s high school years at St. Andrews, taking lessons under late Jackson artist Lynn Green Root, applying this dedication into a full-time practice and career since 2007. Without adhering to a specific style, Panzone has transitioned into his own niche of realism, primarily focused on large-scale works using spray paint. Panzone welcomes the opportunity to lend his talent to Northpark and bring another artistic asset to his hometown. “My murals range from geometric to bold linear art to realistic portrait work,” he stated. “My goal is to keep creating larger, more innovative works of all kinds. I want to keep evolving as an artist, both technically in skill and in scale.” In keeping with the overall look of the redevelopment, and as an homage recognizing the vibrancy of Mississippi, the nearly 1200-square-foot mural will feature four carefully etched representations of the magnolia, the Official State Flower.
“The opportunity to partner with Douglas Panzone to execute a one-of-a-kind work of art is very special,” says Najla Kayyem, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Pacific Retail Capital Partners. “Public art, combined with creativity and community engagement, can change perceptions, promote economic revitalization, and breathe new life back into our neighborhoods.” “Northpark strives to create a diverse array of opportunities to serve our community,” added Christy Pender, Northpark’s Marketing and Business Development Manager. “It will be incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation of a vision into a public art piece for the community to enjoy.” The magnolia wall mural is part of Northpark’s major redevelopment, encompassing new public entrances, corridors, amenities, restrooms, and common-area gathering spaces. The renovation includes a new, more spacious café-style Eatery, which will offer a fresh dining experience for shoppers during their visit to Northpark. The redevelopment also incorporates a state-of-the-art Family Lounge featuring private nursing areas, baby-changing stations, and a large child-friendly restroom, as well as the Discovery Park children’s play area, filled with amenities to play and learn while shoppers relax and recharge. Other enhancements include fresh landscaping and a complete parking lot resurface, which will be complete in mid-November before the onset of holiday shopping.