ISSUE: OCTOBER 2024
Muralist Honors Elizabeth City at Starbucks Dedication Ceremony
Nakima shares a smile with Professor Clarence Goss of Elizabeth City State University’s 1704 Media Productions. (Image: Veronica G. Downing)
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by Veronica G. Downing
frocentric vibrance. That is but one way many, including this author, have described the artistic talent of Miss. Georgie Nakima. The young muralist and Afro-Futurist is a rising star in the public art scene who continues to catch the attention of notable personalities across the country. On July 9, 2024, Nakima was honored by the Starbucks Corporation during the grand opening of their Elizabeth City location on 1313 West Ehringhaus Street, across from Domino’s Pizza in Southgate Mall. In an exclusive interview with The Compass, Nakima explains what an honor it was to be chosen by the Starbucks Corporation to create such a timeless piece for the Harbor of Hospitality. Nakima,
founder of Garden of Journey, creates explosively colorful artworks including images of black faces on canvas, sides of buildings, parking garages, and hallways, as was the case in February 2023 when Good Morning America selected her piece titled Cosmic Ocean for their celebration of Black History Month. “I’m super grateful that I was raised in an Afrocentric household where our history and contribution to this country was a common discussion,” Nakima said of her upbringing, the motivation for her piece, in a post on her Instagram account. According to Nakima, Ashley Sueiras from The Starbucks Arts Collaboration Program, based in Miami, Fl., contacted Nakima via ‘a beautiful email’ to create her piece
for their opening. “It was such an honor to be invited to create this piece. I have always wanted to work with Starbucks.” Their mission, as printed in Vanity Fair’s collaboration article with Conde Nast said, “Art has the power to connect people across cultures and to catalyze social good— and exposure to new artists can be a powerful way to foster that positive change.” Nakima worked with The
Nakima presents Lady Liberty for Starbucks Dedication Ceremony in July. (Image: Veronica G. Downing)