Amanda Adkins' Mural at the Black Theatre Troupe Center for the Performing Arts

By Lauren Saria Mon., Feb. 4 2013 at 12:00 PM

It's about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we're losing track of the times we've said, "Whoa, when did that go up?", we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town -- their artists, their hosts and their inspirations.

Mural by Amanda Atkins, collage by Lauren Saria

The mural at the Black Theatre Troupe Center for the Performing Arts

Artist: Amanda Adkins

Location: Black Theater Troupe Center for Performing Arts

Thanks to some friendly bartering with the Black Theatre Troupe Center for the Performing Arts' next-door neighbors, Washington Street just got a little bit brighter. A wall facing the building's parking lot and main entrance, which technically belongs to the building next door, now features a mural from local artist, Amanda Adkins.

Black Theatre Troupe Executive Director David Hemphill said he was drawn to Adkins' since her works tend to feature portraits, particularly of women. He provided her with piles and CDs of past production shots to inspire the new mural.

Adkins sifted through photos from decades of Black Theatre Troupe performances, choosing the shots with the most vibrant color and emotions.

"I wanted to choose ones that would have the most impact," she says. "The story behind this [mural] was very inspiring...hearing the Black Theatre Troupe story was really inspiring."