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Wynwood murals depict Seminole teen, Miccosukee elders

MIAMI — Two very different murals are on display in the Wynwood district of Miami, but both have an association to Florida’s two Tribes.

An eight-story high mural of teenage Seminole Kyle James Grant is on the northeast side of the Wynwood 25 apartment building in the heart of the trendy arts district.

When the Tribune previously reported on the mural last fall, it hadn’t yet been completed by internationally renowned Los Angeles-based artist Miles MacGregor, also known as “El Mac.”

The mural is one of many in the busy Wynwood district in Miami – a draw for tourists. (Photo Damon Scott)

Completed last December, it depicts Grant and two other youths. Grant is holding an orange rose and there is a ring of orange roses around his head.

He is wearing a traditional Seminole shirt.

Grant’s father is James Grant and his grandmother is Rosie Grant – all are from the Hollywood Reservation.

The connection to MacGregor began after a conversation James Grant had with his cousin, Thomas “Breeze” Marcus, who is a colleague of the artist.

The artist depicted two Miccosukee elders on the main wall of the mural. (Photo Damon Scott)

To see the mural, walk south from the main entrance of the popular Wynwood Walls outdoor museum – at 2520 NW 2nd Ave. – or walk to the east end of the Wynwood 25 development, located at 240 NW 25th St.

Meanwhile, artist Bunky Echo Hawk (Pawnee) completed “Miccosukee Heroes” late last November, just in time for the crowds of Miami’s Art Basel.

The Miccosukee Tribe commissioned the multiwall mural last summer. It is thought to be the first official public art the Tribe has done outside of their reservation.

The wall, at left, depicts a Native American man in a standoff with an alligator. (Photo Damon Scott)

One wall features a Native American in an oversized gas mask preparing for battle with an alligator.

The two are facing off on a toxic waterway, with the heading: “UnSeen,” but with a line striking through the “Un.”

Writing from the artist on part of another wall and retractable door reads:

“The Everglades isn’t just our passion. It’s our home. And more needs to be done to protect it.”

Bunky Echo Hawk signed the mural and directed visitors to the Miccosukee website. (Photo Damon Scott)

The main wall features two elders. The female elder has thought bubbles leading to text that reads: “Native American history is American history,” and the male elder’s thought bubbles lead to “We are Miccosukee. #originallocals.”

The mural is located on a warehouse building at 2600 N. Miami Ave. It is expected to remain up for about a year.

Damon Scott
Damon is a multimedia journalist for the Seminole Tribune. He has previously been an editor and reporter for digital and print media in Florida and his home state of New Mexico. Send him an email at damonscott@semtribe.com.
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