Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien unveiled a vibrant new chapter in the city’s creative landscape this month with the debut of its first-ever public art mural at Rolling Oaks Park (1317 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, FL, 33169). Created in partnership with Love of Urban Design and launched during LOUD® Week, the mural celebrates former State Senator Oscar Braynon II and the enduring legacy his family helped shape in the founding of Miami Gardens.
Councilwoman Julien sponsored the resolution for the renaming of Rolling Oaks Park to the “State Senator Oscar Braynon II Park at Rolling Oaks” while simultaneously creating this first-ever city-wide public art project, proving that Miami Gardens is shifting into a true cultural art hub.
“I’m proud of the local arts and cultural programming we have created in Miami Gardens. This public art mural is the first of many and will begin to engage the local community, attract new visitors and stimulate economic growth,” said Councilwoman Julien.
Nearly 150 local residents, art enthusiasts and prominent elected officials including Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, North Miami Councilwoman Mary Estime-Irvin, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Millian Orbis, Miami Dade County Commissioner Daniella Cohen-Higgins, Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien, Miami Dade County Kionee McGhee, Former Florida State Senator Oscar Brayon II, Former State Representative Richard Steinberg, Former Florida State Representative Erik Fresen, Miami Dade Commissioner County Oliver Gilbert III , Palm Beach County Commissioner, Bobby Powell, Miami Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia, Miami Dade County School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon, Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, Judge Christopher Benjamin, and Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones showed up to support Councilwoman Julien’s public art mural unveiling and public art project announcement, proving that public art is garnering great support and attention for the city.
Miami Gardens / AJ Shorter Photography
Councilwoman Julien strategically collaborated with local creative entrepreneurs and businesses like Love of Urban Design and its founder, Dr. Karine Melissa, to build a diverse art scene and community in Miami Gardens.
“Public art is something I’m passionate about, but lacking in Miami Gardens. Sitting on the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Council has allowed me to proactively expand the cultural arts programming in Miami Gardens and develop a diverse cultural, art, and fashion scene that sparks creativity,” Councilwoman Julien said.
Love of Urban Design (LOUD) and Councilwoman Julien proudly hosted and featured over 100 local artists, designers, creatives and brands at this year’s LOUD Week event series during the Art Basel season.
“We worked closely with Linda to make sure this year’s LOUD Week events were even bigger and better than last year! And this new public art mural set the tone for just that,” said Dr. Karine Melissa, founder and co-owner of Love of Urban Design (LOUD).
Councilwoman Julien says this first-ever public art mural marks a new era of public art, celebrating local Black American history, creativity, legacy and community.
“It’s a life-size mural that is nearly 20 feet tall, 20 feet wide, offering a visual heartfelt love letter to the city we call home. I’m proud to honor Senator Oscar Braynon II with this mural because he has fought for the city that we now know. He and his family have lived in, worked in and advocated for Miami Gardens since 1982; Oscar could have moved to another city when he returned home from college, but instead he came back to Miami Gardens (then known as Carol City) and raised his sons here,” said Councilwoman Julien.
Miami Gardens / AJ Shorter Photography
Additionally, Oscar served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2011 and then in the Florida Senate from 2011 to 2020, representing parts of southern Broward County and northern Miami-Dade County.
Following the unveiling of the public art mural created by local artist Rawsol, also known as Caven K, a cocktail reception & dinner was hosted by Councilwoman Julien, honoring the contributions that Oscar Braynon has made to Miami Gardens over the last two decades.
Councilwoman Julien proudly presented Oscar Braynon II with a 40-inch-tall by 30-inch-wide portrait drawing commissioned by Anthony “Lump” Lumpkin, a Miami Gardens resident born and bred in the community, with an art studio that is also located in Miami Gardens. Julien has strategically supported and empowered local business owners in Miami Gardens by partnering with Love of Urban Design LOUD and artists like Lump.
“Art creates tons of economic growth, and I’m intentional about ensuring our local stakeholders share in that growth,” said Julien.
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