Amplify Arts was proud to partner with the Blackstone Business Improvement District on a public art project in 2020. The neighborhood, from 35th St to 42nd St between Dodge and Dewey, is a blossoming development in the heart of midtown. Blackstone is a development chock full of shops, businesses, restaurants, and families, and the BID is eager to add some public art to improve walkability, safety, and neighborhood beautification.
A selection panel that included local arts community members and neighborhood advocates selected Jair Rodriguez to create a mural on a section of a retaining wall on Harney Street, between 37th and 38th Streets. Taking inspiration from his Mexican heritage, Jair designed and painted a vibrant, celebratory mural that highlights the cultural contributions of Omaha’s Central and South American communities
Jair Rodriguez is an artist, muralist, illustrator and graphic designer based in Omaha where he has painted and exhibited work since 2009. Jair uses his time and experiences lived in Mexico City in his work as it is a source of his love for art, murals, culture and his exposure to graffiti as art. Jair began doing murals in 2010 using his skills in spray paint as his medium of choice to paint images on the walls. He began working closely with The South Omaha Mural Project in creating community-based murals representing a wide array of cultures in the south of Omaha. In 2016 Jair received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Graphic Design and has since used his skills on the computer to create designs for various clients, events and campaigns.