BALTIMORE, Md. — A new project rising in one of Baltimore’s most historic neighborhoods – may soon make it hard to look away.
It’s inside the historic PS 103 Henry Highland Garnett School in Upton where work is ongoing — and a local artist’s vision is taking shape.
Revitalized as the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center through the mission of Reverend Dr. Al Hathaway and his Beloved Community Services Corporation, the center’s basement now bursts with color – featuring paintings by youth and an art studio, in the same space where legacies like Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall used to play dodgeball and hopscotch.
“We wanted to create a space that’s creative. We call it recreation, but really — it is recreate,” said Dr. Hathaway.
But Hathaway wants to take that a step further – which is why he’s partnering with contemporary graffiti artist, ‘Kolpeace.’
“So my mother calls me Christopher,” said Kolpeace.
But to most – he is Kolpeace — short for ‘Kids Only Love Peace’.
“I actually learned everything from the streets and watching people,” he said.
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Kolpeace helped fund his undergraduate education through his budding talent. Later, he came to Baltimore for graduate school at the Maryland Institute College of Art, launching his career with a unique form of live performance art — often creating pieces in minutes before an audience.
“So I paint activists,” he said.
Kolpeace’s work is now splashed across the city — including a vibrant mural outside the Baltimore Convention Center.
But one turning point? Meeting Dr. Hathaway.
“So, I went in the church and I actually painted a portrait of him in the church,” Kolpeace said with a laugh. “He was just chill I was like ‘yo, I need you to wear a hoodie,’ and he was like ‘cool.’”
Dr. Hathaway remembers the moment vividly.
“And I thought – I said, ‘man he’s got fire in the church and torches and burning,’ but this amazing experience was just really spiritual in a real way,” said Dr. Hathaway.
Now, the two are teaming up to harness that passion for something more. Outside the center, a currently blank wall will soon become Kolpeace’s next mural.
“So this is just a mock up piece to kind of see like maybe, maybe not,” he said, showing a concept on his tablet.
The mural will feature outlines of the icons who once walked the school’s halls — like Thurgood Marshall — but inside those outlines — there will be images of the everyday greats.
“So we’re collecting all of these different photographs of persons that attended school here,” said Dr. Hathaway. “So that the children, when they come to this community, can see not only these notable faces — but can see their grandmothers, can see their aunts, can see their uncles.
It’s a legacy wall — set against the backdrop of the old, telling a bright new story.
“Long past him and long past me, there is something special here in this area that was way before our time and that we need to cherish and keep hold of,” said Kolpeace.
Dr. Hathaway said a timeline on the project has not yet been set. He is calling on alumni or anyone connected to PS-103 to . You can also donate to the project and programming efforts at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center .