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Following the long-overdue renaming earlier this year of the Aswan Apartments located at 2888 NW 132nd Street in Opa-Locka, to the Mary Alice Brown Apartments, the apartments’ non-profit owner, the Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC), has commissioned and unveiled an exciting piece of visual art, an expansive, vibrantly colored mural of Mary Alice Brown, a woman whom many consider “the Matriarch of Opa-locka” for her wide contributions to the growth of the City and North Dade in general.
The mural, which is close to 12 feet wide and 7 feet tall, was commissioner by OLCDC from the artist Paul Firmin, aka KINI. A rising star in Miami’s cutting-edge arts scene, KINI is a Haitian-born traditional artist making modern strides in acrylic and oil. KINI’s work reflects his examination of his spirit and the human condition in the hopes of better connecting the world.
“This mural represents the best of two worlds for us at OLCDC: First, we are honoring one of our (s)heroes, Mrs. Brown, and showing her the love and respect, she deserves. Second, we are pushing our community building mission by showcasing the work of KINI, a rising star whose massive work has enriched and enlivened our property,” stated Willie Logan, OLCDC Founder, President, and CEO.
“It is an honor to be thought of in this way,” stated Mrs. Mary Alice Brown, a 70-year resident of Opa-Locka, and founding member of OLCDC. “This city, this community and those who reside here have been central to me throughout my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve them,” Mrs. Brown concluded.
