Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2020

ARTS
DÍA DE MUERTOS
Comes to Life in Ocean Springs
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of
RoofTop Taco &
Tequila Bar and
Karah Younger
When RoofTop
Taco & Tequila Bar partners Jerika Vincent and Jourdan Nicaud envisioned their new restaurant, a mural was always a part of the picture. But with
so many amazing local artists, how could they choose who would design the mural? After all, their work would grace the two-story blank slate that was the side of their building.
“We felt that going to one person directly wasn’t fair,” Vincent said. “There is so much talent on the Gulf Coast, and
we wanted everyone to have a chance to see their work shown in a prime location in Downtown Ocean Springs.”
Despite the heavy coursework she had between the contest and graduation in May, she took the direction – original, creative, and Day of the Dead-themed – and got to work.
“I wanted to create something that would give you that Mexican
landmarks, such as the lighthouse and Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge, she painted a picture that was uniquely “coastal cantina.”
While Younger has completed mural projects in the past, the RoofTop mural is her biggest yet. Friend and artist Jason Pittman will help her to complete the mural.
Aside from her work on murals, Younger excels in other forms
of art, including illustration, wedding signs, invitations and graphic design. “From being mostly self-taught until college,
I have taken several classes in fine art and design enhancing my ability to create,” she said. “As a senior marketing major at USM, I hope to merge my love for design and my passion for working with people in a way that creates a lasting impact.”
With that in mind, RoofTop opened a contest that was open to any and all artists for a chance to win
“I hope to merge
my love for design and my passion for working with people in a way that creates a lasting impact.”
cantina vibe but with a coastal flare,” Younger said. “I spend a lot of my time
in Downtown Ocean Springs, and I knew that I wanted to see to Government
a $1,000 prize
and have their
work displayed
on a massive scale. The winner would also be compensated for their time, work, and materials should they decide to paint the full-size design themselves – surely a daunting task.
something added
Street that would contribute to the artsy vibe the city already had.”
Plenty of artists were up to the challenge, including 23-year- old Karah Younger, a student
at USM’s Gulf Park Campus.
Younger drew inspiration from Disney and Pixar’s Coco in order to create a Day of the Dead design that would be family- friendly. Using calming blue
hues and incorporating local
32 | January 2020
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