Port City Mural

The Challenge:

In 1999, Port City Community Church (PC3) embarked on a journey with a mission "To reach people and help them walk with God."

For nearly a quarter of a century, PC3’s mission has helped shape them into the kind of church they strove to become. As they approached their 25th anniversary, they wanted to commemorate their mission statement in a unique and visually captivating way for the community.

The Solution:

Interpret the mission statement and expand upon the visual language of PC3, creating a mural that encapsulates their journey and vision. This mural will serve as a captivating and inspiring testament to their past achievements while guiding and motivating them toward their future aspirations.

Starting at the Beginning

When commissioned to create a mural showcasing Port City Church's mission statement, the challenge was approached with enthusiasm. Instead of simply depicting text on a wall, the mural was designed as a storytelling device, capturing the church's history and journey to impact the community moving forward.

Starting small is essential, regardless of the final size of the work. After an insightful discovery phase, concepts and sketches for these storytelling vignettes are developed and refined.

Development

Symbols & Storytelling

Many of the following symbols are based on Port City’s logo, which is affectionately called “The Droplet.” You will see the Droplet dissected, rotated, or used whole to help tell several stories about the history of Port City.

As part of Port City’s 25 year anniversary, they wanted to create a video that allowed me to share the concepts and meaning that went into the mural.

Ripples

We started with the new “Droplet” as the center point, symbolizing how our words and actions create lasting ripples in people's lives. These ripples can extend far beyond our immediate reach, touching and transforming lives we may never personally encounter.

For me, it was also crucial to honor the previous logo and the ripples it embodied, recognizing the enduring impact and continuous influence of past efforts on the present and future.

Port-City-Mural-Doc-Reed-Ripples-Illustrator-NC-Charlotte-Wilmington sm.jpg

Rows & Circles

The "Circles and Rows" motif represents a philosophy that life change happens best in intimate small groups (circles) rather than weekly corporate gatherings (rows).

The rows in this pattern are made up of circles, celebrating the importance of both large group gatherings and personal life groups that foster community and growth.

Waves

The wave motif is a homage to the coastal culture that pulses through Wilmington's veins. Beach life is woven into the fabric of this community's identity. This part of the mural speaks to both Wilmginton’s waves and the conscious decision to plant and grow a community in a college.

The aqua color in the pattern was inspired by the patina that graces UNCW's iconic Osprey sculpture. Located in front of Hoggard Hall, it greets all who enter the campus grounds. This vibrant hue complemented the existing palette while also emphasizing PC3's intentionality of putting down roots in the college town.

Storms & Silver Linings

If you live long enough, storm clouds are unavoidable. The mission extends to helping people navigate the storms of life with resilience and faith. The incorporation of dark clouds to represent these inevitable challenges, while the sun symbolizes hope and the promise of a new day.