Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Jeffries
Hi Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Memphis Art Project (MAP) is a project created by Rhodes College students and staff in 2012. It is a digital archive and interactive map of all pieces of public art (art that requires no fee to view) in the city of Memphis. There are plenty of wonderful organizations that work to promote the city’s vibrant artistic community and aid its growth, but there are no projects dedicated to archiving its thousands (yes, thousands!) of murals and sculptures. Our goal for the last 12 years has been to capture every inch of Memphis’s rich public art scene to educate the public of its artistic depth, and to promote the work of the amazing artists that define our city’s landscape.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The Memphis Art Project is a wonderful project to be a part of. If I had to list an issue, then I’d say there are just so many works to document! Our website has around 400 works, however that is barely a drop in the bucket. New murals go up almost every day— not to mention the vast amount of artistic activity that happens around the clock, from exhibitions to festivals. Still, our team is determined to document every piece of public art this city has to offer!
We’ve been impressed with Memphis Art Project, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The goal of the Memphis Art Project is to have a holistic overview of all the city’s public art. But, this is not our only goal. Along with becoming a living archive, we also want to build connections with the Memphis community. Our organization is here for everyone, from long-time Memphians to vistors, to be able to access this information and support their local arts scene. Raising awareness and forming lasting community bonds is just as important as maintaining a fully updated archive. We hope to become more of a presence in the Memphis community!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://memphisart.org
- Instagram: @memphisartproject
