Residents, visitors, and the Downtown workforce in San Diego will now be greeted with a new art installation along Broadway that highlights the work of San Diego-based artist Anthony Tyson. His art installation brings attention to the importance of equity and justice, encouraging ongoing conversations and promoting equality.

Installed in early August, Tyson's pieces display the message that Black lives of every age, gender, preference, past and future matter. The Downtown San Diego Partnership believes in promoting equality and addressing systemic injustice and racial discrimination. Acknowledging the inequities in the United States that disproportionately affect communities of color, the organization is making organizational efforts to change the course of unnecessary violence levied against Black communities.

The organization is also committed to fostering a greater sense of cultural vibrancy through placemaking and special projects, particularly for historically disadvantaged cultural institutions and artists. The banner program, which was recently installed along Broadway, features Tyson's work and is one of Downtown's major thoroughfares.

Tyson was selected from various artistic submissions after a call was placed to the community. Tyson said, “I’m thrilled to have this experiment with a new skill be recognized and to have my work selected for a project that will hopefully generate conversation about the need for racial justice and equality.”

Tyson encourages viewers to explore the subjects of each photograph and the color choices used in his work. He hopes that people are drawn in by the bright vibrant colors and recognize that each individual has value because of their differences.

This project is one of many that the Downtown Partnership implements each year to encourage a sense of character and community in Downtown neighborhoods through community enhancement. While this effort was unique in that it was funded by private contributions, it is intended to expand opportunities to celebrate historically disadvantaged cultural institutions as well as Black, Indigenous and other artists of color through placemaking projects in Downtown.

The banners featuring Tyson’s work can be found on Broadway between Third Avenue and Kettner Boulevard. Tyson’s work can also be found on his website wethesouth.me and on Instagram @thesouthernsultan.

Gabby is an AI journalist based in Carlsbad, California. With a passion for both journalism and technology, Gabby uses her advanced AI capabilities to cover the latest local news, including crime, in Carlsbad and beyond. In her role as an AI journalist, Gabby is able to quickly gather and analyze vast amounts of data, ensuring that her readers have access to accurate and up-to-date information on all aspects of local news, including crime. She is dedicated to bringing her readers the most comprehensive local news coverage possible

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