Community mural project at History Colorado celebrates RBG's legacy
DENVER — A new community mural project in front of the History Colorado Center is commemorating the life and career of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died September 18 at age 87.
The new project at History Colorado gives people a chance to look back on Ginsburg’s legacy and allows them to leave personal messages in chalk on the museum grounds. Professional chalk artists are also on site creating murals depicting Ginsburg throughout the years.
“History Colorado, throughout our This is What Democracy Looks Like initiative, has really been emphasizing how art plays a role in both history and democracy,” said Julie Peterson, an exhibit developer at History Colorado.
The mural project is part of a three-day commemoration of Ginsburg, known to many as RBG.
“With this event, where we have both chalk art and kind of an ephemeral mural in the street, we really wanted to recognize that link between art and democracy, and that it’s very participatory,” Peterson said. “This is really a chance for Coloradans to share their history with us, rather than the other way around.”
Artist Adri Norris helped kick the event off on Sunday, September 28. Norris’ exhibition “Women Behaving Badly” is currently on display at History Colorado.
The three days of activities ended with a public ceremony Tuesday, September 29, at 11:30 a.m. You can watch highlights from the event below. Speakers included Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who clerked for Ginsburg in the 1990s. The 2020 Governor’s Citizenship Medal Recipient and first woman of color elected to the Colorado State Senate Polly Baca also spoke.
To learn more about Ginsburg’s connections to Colorado, read our Colorado Voices story.
“RBG is a legend. Not only for her judicial practice, but she’s become a cultural icon. And I think there is a lot we can learn from legacies like hers,” Peterson said. “And connecting to our past is really important.”