Shreveport artist KaDavien Baylor selected for Quincy Square mural in Washington state

Ka'Davien Baylor has made Shreveport more colorful with his large, bright impactful murals and he is about to do the same for the state of Washington.

Just west of Seattle is the city of Bremerton, where famed American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger and film and television produce Quincy Jones spent some of his childhood years.

“Jones spent time as a young man in our city and started studying music the moment he touched a piano in the Bremerton Armory. As a community, we want to celebrate Quincy’s career,” reads the Quincy Square website.

An effort formed to create "Quincy Square," which is envisioned as a public area several blocks long in the downtown district. It will be a pedestrian friendly space with a unique piano keyboard pattern on the street. A vital part of the vision is a mural that will reflect the spirt of equity, joy, pride and collaboration of the project.

Fifty proposals from local, national and international artists were received.

“I applied for the Quincy Square project because I felt like I could contribute to the vision,” said Baylor. “I had an interest in the local history of Bremerton and its many similarities to Shreveport. I believe celebrating the history of a place through the arts is a part of our human primitive instincts.”

On April 17 it was announced that Baylor was selected. “Baylor’s proposal hit on everything that the committee asked for with a design that is epic in scale, composition and color”, said Project Manager Katie Ketterer. “It feels joyful and like a celebration.”

“I'm very thankful that the City of Bremerton has selected me as the public artist to communicate on their behalf. It's a testament of having faith and being led by God,” Baylor told The Times.

For nature loving Baylor, he is looking forward to taking ferry rides and seeing the mountains while working on the mural, “I love the West Coast and have driven (the Pacific Coast Highway) just for the views.”

“We will engage the community in the very same way that has been done in several projects in Shreveport,” said Baylor, who was inspired by Quincy’s life. “It's such a gift and luxury to be able to create.”

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport artist KaDavien Baylor selected for Quincy Square mural in Washington state