FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY

BALTIMORE MURAL ON PENNSLYVANIA AVENUE DEDICATED TO

EDUCATOR ALVIN KIRBY BRUNSON WHO DIED IN BUILDING COLLAPSE ONE YEAR AGO

WHO/WHAT:         The Pennsylvania Avenue Redevelopment Collaborative and the Brunson Family host a mural dedication.  The Alvin Kirby Brunson Mural by artist Donald Tyson-Bey will be unveiled with a final signature by the artist. The artwork is part of the Baltimore Mural Program: CityPaint.

WHEN:                  Monday, March 30 at 12pm

WHERE:                 2043 Pennsylvania Avenue at Bloom Street Followed by a reception at the Shake & Bake Center located at 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue.

WHY: The mural is in memory of historian and educator Alvin Kirby Brunson who lost his life one year ago on March 30, 2008 in a rowhouse collapse.  Through his Center for Culture Education, Mr. Brunson worked tirelessly to promote the Pennsylvania Avenue (The Avenue) corridor which served as a focal point for local and nationally known musicians, artists and entertainers in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.  In addition, he managed the African-American Traveling Museum which brought rare photographs, history lessons and artifacts of Baltimoreans to the public through presentations, at schools, senior centers, libraries and community centers.

A prototype of the mural will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the establishment of the Alvin Brunson Legacy Scholarship. The Baltimore Mural Program is presented by Mayor Sheila Dixon and managed by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.
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