Mural reveals Fair Park’s role in Juneteenth’s history

By Sujata Dand Originally appeared in Dallas Free Press When Artist J.D. Moore was selected to be part of the  Absolute Equality – Juneteenth Mural Project commemorating Juneteenth, he knew he wanted to focus on South Dallas – “specifically Fair Park.” Moore, 31, is one of six selected artists around the country participating in the national project which features large scale murals in Galveston, Shreveport, Houston, Miami, Detroit, Philadelphia and Chicago.  “Fair Park has a lot of historical significance,” Moore says as he describes the panoramic painting in the courtyard of the& South Dallas Cultural Center.& That’s why he chose to paint a chronological display of Fair Park’s role in promoting the understanding and awareness of Juneteenth. Moore points to the heart of his mural — light emanating from a building representing The Hall of Negro Life. The federally-funded exhibition featured at the Texas Centennial in 1936 in Fair Park was one of the first in the country to honor the history of African-Americans in the United States. Moore says the exhibit celebrating Black culture sparked Juneteenth celebrations across North Texas. “Fair Park has a lot of historical significance,” Moore says as he describes the panoramic painting in the courtyard...