New Jackson 5 mural in Miller kicks off public art expansion
The new mural, located on the north side of the Vogue Cleaners building at 610 S. Lake St., replaces one elsewhere on Lake Street that was removed in 2018 due to deterioration. East Chicago artist Felix 'Flex' Maldonado painted the mural. His artwork can be seen around Gary — 'We Are Gary' at the city's main library, performing arts students at West Side Leadership Academy, and he painted St. Mary of the Lake's 'The Ascension,' based on a design by Filipino artist Edgardo De Guzman — as well as Hammond, East Chicago, Crown Point and in the southeast suburbs in Illinois. In 2016, Maldonado painted a large Jackson 5 mural on a former bank building at 5th and Broadway, but it was torn down in 2020 as part of a blight elimination effort.
'The Jackson family's music helped define a generation — and it all started right here in Gary,' said Maldonado in a Gary press release. 'I wanted this new mural to feel alive, so that people can connect with the joy and pride this city feels for them. It's not just art — it's a celebration of legacy.'
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton marked the occasion by announcing more public art projects over the next two years, including working with artist Ish Muhammad on three new murals that will be located around the downtown Broadway corridor. The murals will feature Gary musical icons Deniece Williams, the Jackson Family, and Vivian Carter from Vee-Jay Records.
The city also plans to collaborate with Indiana University Northwest School of Arts students/alumni who will paint a series of murals that will tell the story and history of Gary and some of its most influential citizens at the former Sears Building on Broadway.
The effort is following in the footsteps of the Lake Effect project that was launched in 2013 and brought around 40 artists to the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District to transform 19 walls and alleys into canvases. Local residents kept pushing for the restoration of the Jackson 5 mural, so Karren and Pat Lee initiated efforts to commission a new mural and helped fund it along with Tom and Sylvia Collins.
'Gary has always been a city of heart and soul, and we owe so much to the Jackson family for the precious cultural heritage they've given us,' said Mayor Eddie Melton in a statement. 'My administration is strongly committed to creating opportunities for public art and supporting talented artists like Felix Maldonado who bring these visions to life. This new mural will support our local businesses along Lake Street while giving visitors another compelling reason to discover Gary as the premier beachfront destination in Northwest Indiana.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
Donny Osmond reveals ‘very offensive' advice Michael Jackson once gave him
Looking at the man in the mirror. Donny Osmond recently shared a clip from his 2023 appearance on 'The Adam Carolla Show' where he recalled getting 'very offensive' advice about his career from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. 'The name Donny Osmond was a joke, years ago,' the 'Sacred Emotion' singer, 67, said. 'I mean, if you said you like Donny Osmond music, you were ousted.' Advertisement 10 Donny Osmond performs in concert in 1975. Getty Images 10 Michael Jackson at the 'Dreamgirls' afterparty in 1983. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 'In fact, WPLJ in New York, they got a hold of 'Soldier of Love' as an import,' Osmond continued. 'They played the record to test it because they liked the song, but they just didn't want to say my name.' Advertisement Osmond explained that in 1983, the year after Jackson's sixth album, 'Thriller' came out, he went to Jackson seeking guidance in how to save his career. 10 Donny Osmond and Adam Carolla. Adam Carolla/Youtube 10 Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson at the 1974 American Music Awards. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 'I asked, Mike, how do I get back on the charts?' Osmond recalled, adding, 'He said, 'Your name's poison, Donny. You gotta change your name.'' Advertisement 'It was very offensive,' Osmond said. 'It was tough to hear that.' But Jackson 'was right,' Osmond acknowledged, 'because in '89, radio stations all across the country played my music, but didn't say my name.' 'And they did me a favor by not saying who I was, and it became a hit,' he noted. 'Then they found out it was me.' Advertisement 10 Donny Osmond in a studio portrait in 1987. Getty Images Osmond rose to fame as part of The Osmonds with his brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay. He eventually broke out as a solo act and as a duo with his sister, Marie Osmond. Jackson had a similar career path; he started in the Jackson 5 with his siblings before having a breakthrough as a solo artist. In 1982, he became a global sensation when 'Thriller' was released. 10 Michael Jackson with Donny Osmond at the American Music Awards in 1974. Getty Images 10 Donny Osmond performs in London in 1973. Getty Images 10 Michael Jackson in the 'Thriller' music video. Courtesy Everett Collection In November, Osmond opened up about his relationship with Jackson — who died in 2009 at age 50 — in the documentary 'Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands.' 'If you look at the Osmonds and the Jackson 5, the comparisons of the two families are just uncanny,' said Osmond. 'There are nine children in each family. Mike and I are both the seventh child of nine. Our mothers' birthdays are on the same day. Michael and I are the same age.' Advertisement 10 Donny Osmond performs at Fox and Friends All-American Summer Concert Series in July 2024. Getty Images 10 Michael Jackson performs onstage. Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images Osmond and Jackson would bond over their dads, George Osmond, and Joe Jackson, being similar, too. Advertisement 'We would get together and just laugh and reminisce about the comparisons and the similarities,' the 'Puppy Love' singer shared. Osmond added: 'Michael said something to me one day, and he said, 'Donny, you're the only person on this planet that knows what my childhood is like.''
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
An NFL Star Shared A Message From A Conservative Influencer. Fans Weren't Happy
An NFL Star Shared A Message From A Conservative Influencer. Fans Weren't Happy originally appeared on The Spun. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is taking some heat this week because of a post he shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. It turns out he posted content from a controversial conservative influencer. Jackson is entering the 2025 season with a ton of confidence - and rightfully so. He completed 66.7% of his passes last season for 4,172 yards with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions. The two-time MVP and four-time Pro Bowler also had 915 rushing yards and four scores on 139 carries. While there are plenty of football fans eager to see Jackson back on the gridiron, some people have changed their tune due to his social media activity. Earlier this week, Jackson shared the following message from Charlie Kirk: "It's all about Jesus." In case you're unfamiliar with his work, Kirk is the founder of a conservative student organization called Turning Point USA. He visits college campuses around the country to discuss political issues. He played a big role in helping Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2024. NFL fans are disappointed that Jackson shared Kirk's message. "Anybody but Charlie Kirk," one fan wrote on X. "Lamar whyyyy?" "I'm just gonna assume he doesn't know who tf this really is," a second fan commented. "Lamar Jackson is genuinely MAGA but no one will say anything," a third fan said. "Someone should remind a lot of these MAGA folk that the problem isn't that he reposted a quote about loving Jesus.. the problem is that he reposted that quote from a extreme white supremacist," a social media user wrote. Some people defended Jackson's social media activity. "What's the big deal here? Jesus is King," Fran Fraschilla said. "Is this the point we've come to? Criticizing someone bc of their religious beliefs? Just stop. Stay strong @Lj_era8 and keep being an example for so many in Baltimore & beyond," Sage Steele replied. "Taken heat for loving Jesus? Faith is a good thing. I'm guessing the critics have none," one person wrote on X. "Not a Christian but I don't see what's wrong w/ people sharing beliefs for those who want to consume. Might be difficult for atheists to understand, for religious, God is above politics," another person commented. Jackson has not addressed any of the backlash. Besides, he's getting ready for the Ravens' season opener. The Ravens will kick off their 2025 season on Sept. 7 against the Buffalo Bills. It'll be a rematch of last season's Divisional Round matchup. Jackson had 254 passing yards, 39 rushing yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Baltimore's 27-25 loss to Buffalo. We'd have to imagine that he's been thinking of that loss all offseason long. An NFL Star Shared A Message From A Conservative Influencer. Fans Weren't Happy first appeared on The Spun on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Cosmopolitan
a day ago
- Cosmopolitan
Grace Van Patten and Jackson White's Relationship Timeline
We still don't have an official release date for Tell Me Lies season 3 (sorry!), but I can tell you this: the show's stars, Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, are still thriving IRL. Based on Carola Lovering's novel of the same name, the Hulu series follows the twisty, toxic love story between Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco—which is, thankfully, nothing like the very sweet, very real love that has blossomed between Grace and Jackson. Since hard-launching their relationship on Instagram soon after the premiere of season one, the two actors have kept their romance pretty private, in fact, that you may not have even realized they were dating. However! During a recent interview with Elle, Grace confirmed that she and her 'real-life boyfriend' Jackson are still going strong. Let's take a moment to review their cute showmance from the beginning, shall we? Tell Me Lies premieres on Hulu, and it isn't long before dating rumors start circulating about the two leads. Tbh, Grace and Jackson don't do much to dispel the rumors. During an episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Jackson teases the possibility of an off-screen romance, confessing that he has 'a huge crush' on his costar. 'All I'm saying is that I'm obsessed with her because she's fucking amazing,' he gushes. He goes on to add, 'She is the fucking coolest, most grounded, amazing person IRL that you'll ever meet.' Grace, for her part, plays it a lil more coy. When asked by Entertainment Tonight about her real-life relationship with Jackson, she says, 'Fans should just leave it up for mystery, keep it fun. Who knows?' Grace and Jackson show up at the CFDA Fashion Awards looking veeeeery coupley: And in case there is any lingering doubt about where they stand, Jackson shares photo booth pics from the event on his Instagram Story, with an emoji strategically placed over what looks like a photo of them kissing: The next day, Jackson posts a cheeky photo of himself and Grace touching tongues to his grid with the caption, 'if we kiss can we get a s2 @hulu.' Side note: Grace posted the same pic on her own IG that same day, captioning it, '…just in the lick of time.' Love a coordinated hard-launch. The two hit up the Vanity Fair Oscar Party together looking chic as hell. Jackson drops this cute selfie on IG, along with a video of Grace in a go-kart. The caption: 'Florida couple steals go cart trophy from 9 year old birthday boy.' The couple is spotted at Paris Fashion Week and gets snapped at the Hermès show. Actor Katey Sagal (who, fun fact, is Jackson's mom both on the show and in real life) appears on the Broad Ideas podcast and reveals that Grace and Jackson have been dating 'since the audition'—which is way longer than people thought! According to her: 'They have been [dating] for two years.' In-ter-est-ing! During an interview with Only Natural Diamonds, Grace provides rare insight into her relationship with Jackson, talking about how well they work together both onscreen and off. 'I love working with him not just because he's my boyfriend but because he's so talented and giving and present,' she says. Not long after, she and Jackson are spotted at the US Open looking v cute and in love. Ahead of the season 2 premiere of Tell Me Lies, Grace admits to People how 'trippy' it is to work with Jackson 'because we are together in real life, and he knows me better than anyone.' She also makes it clear that she and Jackson are *very* different IRL than their onscreen counterparts. 'We're wildly different,' she says, 'thank goodness.' During an interview with Elle, Grace talks about filming season 3 with her 'real-life boyfriend,' noting, 'With us, there's no block; it's just full taking each other in, because that's what we're used to.' Oh, and she also reveals that she and Jackson started dating before he even officially landed the role of Stephen. 'We didn't know what was going to be more complicated—if he did get the part or if he didn't—but we didn't care,' she explains. 'We just couldn't help it.' Season 3 can't get here soon enough!!
