Well, It’s not just a Michael Jackson mural but part of a Quincy Jones mural.
A striking new mural now enhances the 4th Street parking garage near the Roxy Theatre and the Kitsap History Museum, commissioned by the city of Bremerton for $45,000 and painted by Louisiana-based public artist KaDavien Baylor.
This mural is part of the broader Quincy Square Project, a community-driven initiative aimed at revitalizing the intersection of Fourth Street and Pacific Avenue. The inspiration for the mural stems from the Quincy Square Project’s larger mission to beautify a cherished part of the city and create a vibrant gathering space.
As described on the city’s website, the project was propelled by a “grassroots consortium of active and interested citizens, professional groups and developers.” With the blessing of music legend Quincy Jones, this group united around a vision to revive the charm of 4th Avenue, once a bustling center of daily life and commerce. The mural is part of a comprehensive streetscape improvement aimed at inclusivity and accessibility, featuring elements such as “street furniture, festival lighting, and interactive musical equipment.”
Quincy Jones’ connection to Bremerton is both personal and profound. He spent his formative years in Kitsap County, where a serendipitous encounter with a piano at Sinclair Heights Armory—a community center in the segregated Sinclair Park neighborhood—ignited his passion for music. That moment set the stage for his groundbreaking career, in which he became a global music icon and a passionate advocate for civil rights.
The mural celebrates not only Jones but other musical icons like Michael Jackson and Ray Charles, as well as Bremerton’s own “Black Trailblazers.” This includes community figures such as Marty Crutcher, Willis Papillion, John Henry Turpin, Leroy Williams, Larry Robertson, Lillian Walker, Loxie and Alice Eagan, Al Colvin, Dianna Robinson, Roosevelt Smith, and Marie Greer—all remembered for their contributions to Bremerton’s history, detailed on the Kitsap Museum’s “Black Trailblazers of Kitsap County” page.
The Quincy Mural is just one part of the project, which received a $2.5 million federal grant, a $1.75 million state grant, and a city contribution of $805,000. While the mural nears completion, plans include a future bronze sculpture of Quincy Jones and ongoing improvements, such as “street furniture, festival lighting, and interactive musical equipment,” to create a lively, historical urban center for all to enjoy.
SOURCE: Quincy Square
