The Nubian (aka Hamill) Gallery building at 2164 Washington Street has been a community fixture for many years. At Community Music Center of Boston, we are honored to be its newest steward, having purchased the building in 2024. We are investing $20 million in a comprehensive renovation to restore the building. It will be a flagship home for arts education, workforce development, community events, music therapy services, and more—set to open in the 2026-27 school year.

One element of our work is to address significant deferred maintenance on both the east and west exterior walls. (The original Washington St façade remains undisturbed).

Although the exterior work is necessary for the building’s safety and structural soundness, we are cognizant of two murals that grace these walls. Both were painted in 2021 thanks to the leadership of Kai Grant and Black Market, as part of a broader public art effort in the square. The east wall of the building houses a mural by Stephen Hamilton titled “1,000 Hooves”. The west wall houses a mural by Marka27 and ProBlaK, aka Rob Gibbs, titled “Reflection Eternal”. One of the subjects of Reflection Eternal is famed local artist Paul Goodknight.

We have been pleased to speak both with Kai and with the artists about their murals, and to get their input on our plans.

On the west wall, masonry specialists will do selective repointing of sections of brick, and per building code, a new doorway needs to be created near the bottom of the mural for egress. Because this work will have minimal impact on the mural, our intention is to preserve Reflection Eternal once the masonry work is complete.

Unfortunately, the east wall, housing 1,000 Hooves, is deteriorated beyond repair, including cracks and areas requiring significant brick replacement. As a result, the majority of the wall needs brick replacement, to undergo complete brick repointing, and the application of a protective exterior coating. We have spoken with Stephen, and he understood the wall’s deteriorating condition, and supported our work with Kai for the future. Because we need to remove the mural, we are working with Kai Grant on a commemoration to be determined together.

Public art is more than just a painting on a wall: it pays tribute to a neighborhood and its identity. These murals have delighted passers-by since 2021 and quickly became much loved elements at the gateway to Nubian Square. We are glad to be able to rehabilitate ProBlaK’s mural, and glad to work with Stephen on a new legacy.