Mural at Unity Park Honors Greenville R&B Star Peabo Bryson
GREENVILLE, SC- A new mural at Unity Park is set to honor Grammy-winning R&B artist Peabo Bryson, a local legend who grew up in Greenville. The stunning work-in-progress aims to celebrate the exemplary career and remarkable achievements of Bryson while also adding vibrant life to the otherwise stark walls of the Commons complex.
Bryson’s Life and Legacy
Peabo Bryson is a decorated R&B artist revered for his soulful hits from the 1980s and 90s. He is equally known for his iconic contributions to Disney soundtracks, most notably “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World” from the Aladdin movie, which bagged him two Grammy awards and two Oscars.
Bryson’s journey began in Greenville, where he grew up near Unity Park. He nurtured his talents under the guidance of his mother, Marie Bryson, who introduced him to the music of renowned Black artists like Sam Cooke, Little Richard, and Billie Holiday. Bryson also performed frequently at Mayberry Park before venturing into a career in music.
After moving to Atlanta to start his solo career, he released multiple hits that earned him eight Grammy nominations and led him to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100 twelve times. Bryson continues to make music at 73; his most recent work was the 21st studio album, “Stand for Love,” released in 2018.
The Mural as a Tribute
Artists Orlando Corona, Faith Hudgens, and RaAmen Stallings are using their diverse skill sets to create this tribute to Bryson. The mural is a significant undertaking, not merely celebrating a local icon but also encapsulating a slice of Greenville’s rich history and cultural tapestry.
The artists, all Greenville-based, are dedicating their time and talents to this project to ensure that Bryson’s legacy resonates with residents and visitors alike. Having spoken with Bryson himself while working on the mural, the artists view this as more than just an art piece – they consider it a historic monument meant to inspire generations to come.
Art Meets History
The mural, albeit still in progress, is already turning heads in the Unity Park decor. Bryson’s 15-ft tall portrait pops against a backdrop of vibrant blue and green colors, a stark reminder of the musician’s impact on the R&B industry and Greenville’s cultural legacy.
The artists aim to complete the mural by early September and plan to host a celebratory unveiling event with Bryson before mid-October. Despite the hard work and late-summer heat, the shared sentiment among the artists is pride in immortalizing a Greenville native who has reached the zenith of his career and still continues to soar.
