In Bloom Series

Created as a companion piece to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival, In Bloom is a mural series that pays tribute to the enduring legacy of Black women writers. Drawing visual inspiration from the festival’s branding, the series honors both Phillis Wheatley and Margaret Walker—two literary pioneers whose words have shaped generations.

The design evokes growth, resilience, and creative flourishing, centering imagery that uplifts Black womanhood, scholarship, and sisterhood. Margaret Walker, the visionary behind the original 1973 festival, is depicted in full bloom, surrounded by poetic symbolism and the vibrant energy she helped cultivate. In Bloom serves as a living canvas of celebration, reflection, and cultural reverence.