During the July 13 Sacramento Republic FC match against Tacoma FC, artwork curated by Boards for Change was displayed in the north section of the grandstand at Papa Murphy's Park. (Photos by Steve Martarano)
Back Photo gallery Jul 23, 2020 By Steve Martarano
Sacramento Republic FC's coronavirus-suspended 2020 season has resumed with no fans allowed, but that doesn't mean the usually packed Papa Murphy's Park is empty. Artwork curated by Boards For Change highlighting racial and social injustice fills the north grandstand and will be auctioned off throughout the rest of the season to benefit local Black youth organizations.
Boards for Change is a community beautification project coordinated by Kimberly Prince, Lina Washington and Shannan O'Rourke. Prince owns a Nekter Juice Bar, Washington is a sports reporter at ABC10 and O'Rourke is a painter and mural artist. According to the organizers' GoFundMe page, the goal is "connecting local artists with boarded-up businesses in the Sacramento region and turning those spaces into massive canvases in a show of solidarity" with Black Lives Matter.
Sacramento Republic FC's team jerseys bore Black Lives Matter lettering instead of individual players' names during the nationally televised ESPN match.
The organizers have raised nearly $14,000, which the page says will be "directly invested in Sacramento youth in vulnerable neighborhoods."
"It is an honor to lift up a project like Boards for Change — an incredible showcase of how interconnected, compassionate and creative Sacramento is," said Ben Gumpert, Republic FC president and chief operating officer, in a news release.
Artwork will continue to be displayed throughout the season. Currently, 21 art boards by local artists are available through an online auction.
The online auctions opened during the July 13 match against Tacoma FC. There are currently 21 pieces available, says spokesman Will Strome. The auction ends Aug. 15.
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