Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church Pastor The Revered Eugene Collins, Sr., and Edisto District African Methodist Episcopal Church Presiding Elder The Reverend Dr. Norvel Goff, Sr. on Thursday dedicated the new Shiloh Park at 172 Smith Street.
The new, roughly half-acre park is located on the grounds of the former Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church. The tropical flora, organic design, and future art installations are inspired by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. The park also features a decorative fountain and areas for art installations. One mural wall by Cedric Umoja entitled “In remembrance & love” is already complete.
About Roberto Burle Marx: Mr. Burle Marx was known to design parks using his organic-shaped paintings as the basis of his site plans. He is most well-known for designing:
- Praça Euclides da Cunha in Rio de Janeiro in 1934
- Rooftop garden at the Ministry of Education and Health in Rio de Janeiro in 1938
- Gardens at Pampulhain Belo Horizonte in 1943
- Sítio Santo Antônio da Bicain Barra de Guaratiba from 1949-1994
- Parque Ibirapuera in São Paulo in 1953
- Parque do Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro in 1965
- Praça dos Cristais at the Ministry of the Army in Brasília in 1970
- Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in 1971
About mural artist Cedric Umoja: Mr. Umoja is a Columbia, S.C. based multidisciplinary artist who bridges ancient and future in his drawings, paintings, murals, sculptures, film, installation work and performance. Mr. Umoja's work features elements of Post Graffiti, Post Expressionism, Afro Surrealism, Modern and African art.
