SLU Hosts Celebration for New Public Artwork Honoring Mill Creek Valley

SLU Hosts Celebration for New Public Artwork Honoring Mill Creek Valley

Members of the St. Louis community came together on the Saint Louis University campus on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to celebrate "The Legacy of Mill Creek," a new public art installation by world-renowned St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc.

Launch SlideshowA person reads the back of a piece from "The Legacy of Mill Creek," an art installation by Cbabi Bayoc surrounding the fountain at Grand and Lindell Blvds. The installation honors the vibrant historically Black community that lived in the former Mill Creek Valley neighborhood. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

Mill Creek Valley was a vibrant, historically Black neighborhood razed in the 1950s in the undue name of "urban renewal." The neighborhood was once home to 20,000 predominantly Black residents, along with hundreds of businesses and dozens of churches.

Dedicated to honoring residents of the neighborhood, "The Legacy of Mill Creek" consists of four panels highlighting themes of faith, business, music and sports. The back of each panel features a handwritten message from Bayoc explaining his inspiration for the artwork.

"With this art, I wanted to hit on the pillars of the community," Bayoc said. "I am super blessed that we've been able to install these at SLU, and everyone's been so accepting of these pieces. I'm already hearing about how people are taking in our work and how it's affecting them.

"Those who are meant to receive the art will receive it, and it will be impactful. I hope everyone has time to spend with these pieces and really reflect on the Mill Creek Valley community that once used to live here."

Inspired by the efforts of the Mill Creek Valley Commemoration Committee, Bayoc's artwork was commissioned by the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce and supported by a grant from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.

"This is the beginning of restoring the memory of the buildings, culture, institutions and history of this community that was once erased," said Malaika Horne, Ph.D. (Grad A&S '74, '91), a former Mill Creek Valley community member. "This art is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it bestows visual recognition, respect and honor to our historic community. When people see them, they cannot help but appreciate the achievements, struggles and perseverance of the people of Mill Creek Valley."

Bayoc's art installation is located near the SLU fountain on the southeast corner of Grand and Lindell Boulevards, a historic entrance to the former neighborhood. Today, a number of the University's buildings now stand on land that was once part of Mill Creek Valley.

"Here in Mill Creek, you had a community where people worked together, lived together, supported each other, grieved with each other and celebrated together," said Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. "We're here this afternoon to celebrate this once thriving community and to remember all of its history through this artwork."

The celebration event was co-sponsored by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Department of African American Studies and the Division of Mission and Identity.