Photo by Gracie Herring / Neuse News

The first artist participating in the Downtown Kinston Mural program arrived and has begun work on the mural on the side of J’s Place at 110 West Blount Street. The competitive application process for the mural program had over 165 local, state, national, and international artists applying for the opportunity to leave their mark on Kinston.

“I’m a New Yorker originally, but my dad is from Jamesville, North Carolina and my daughter lives in Rocky Mount,” said Maxx Moses. “This will be a great opportunity to spend time with family and to revisit my roots. I used to come down here as a child visiting family.”

A press release by Kinston Planning introduced Moses as a graffiti-style artist based in San Diego, California. Moses has created art all over the world, focusing on a blend of graffiti and fine art which he calls “Concrete Alchemy”. This merger of styles gave root to Moses’s signature as an artist who sees the unity within the contrasts. As his artist's vision and identity have evolved, so has his commitment to community. Moses is an artist, art educator, and community organizer who has coordinated art festivals, written books, and even delivered his own TedX talk entitled, “It’s a Challenge to be Free”.

“Where I’m at creatively is ethereal landscapes,” said Moses. “It’s my interpretation of energy in motion. Of other-worldliness to take people out of the ordinary. My artwork is designed to expand your imagination and to encourage you to think differently. It’s done through color, shape, and form.”

Over the weekend Moses offered an opportunity for volunteers interested in art to help begin the mural process. Moses gave himself a deadline of three weeks to complete the mural.

“The other day my grandchildren and daughter were out here painting and stuff too. It was kind of special,” said Moses.

There are eight other artists participating in the Downtown Kinston Mural program including Jared Bader, Jamil Burton, Broderick Flanigan, Lacy Jane and Layla Folkmann, D. Choci Gray, Maximillian Mozingo,  Seraphim Smith, and Timothy Robert.