Will NOT Be Erased A Campaign to Preserve LGBTQ+ Visibility
Our goal is to ensure that pride, inclusion, and visibility remain firmly rooted in our city’s public spaces. These new works of art will stand as lasting symbols of love, resilience, and community pride, especially in areas where LGBTQ+ individuals live, work, and gather.
Will Not Be Erased Community Task Force Launches Fundraising Campaign for Landmark LGBTQ+ Mural in Jacksonville's Historic Five Points
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Will Not Be Erased Community Task Force Launches Fundraising Campaign for Landmark LGBTQ+ Mural in Jacksonville's Historic Five Points & Beyond
Community organizations unite to commission acclaimed Jacksonville artist Shaun Thurston for a transformational public art project celebrating history, resilience, and belonging.
JACKSONVILLE, FL — In a powerful demonstration of unity, compassion, and community pride, a Community Task Force representing neighborhood organizations, nonprofit agencies, businesses, artists, healthcare organizations, and LGBTQ+ advocates has come together to launch Will Not Be Erased—a community initiative dedicated to preserving LGBTQ+ history while investing in the future of Jacksonville's historic Five Points neighborhood & beyond.
The initiative's first project is an ambitious fundraising campaign to create a 1,700-square-foot public mural that will transform a prominent wall in the heart of Five Points into one of Northeast Florida's largest public affirmations of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Designed by acclaimed Jacksonville muralist Shaun Thurston, the mural will celebrate the neighborhood's rich artistic heritage while honoring the generations of LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose courage and resilience helped make Five Points a place where authenticity could flourish and acceptance could thrive.
More than a work of public art, the mural will preserve history, inspire future generations, and stand as a permanent reminder that Jacksonville's LGBTQ+ community has always been an essential part of the city's story—and will continue shaping its future.
"Art has the power to preserve stories, inspire hope, and bring people together," said Shaun Thurston. "I'm honored to create a mural that reflects the strength, diversity, and creativity of Jacksonville's LGBTQ+ community while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations."
Inspired by the colors and spirit of the Pride movement, Thurston's design blends vibrant color, flowing movement, and interconnected imagery to symbolize unity, resilience, and hope. The mural will become a landmark destination for residents and visitors alike while adding another significant work of public art to Jacksonville's growing cultural landscape.
"The Will Not Be Erased mural is more than a painting—it is a promise," said members of the Community Task Force. "It is a declaration that LGBTQ+ people have always been part of Jacksonville's history and will continue to be part of its future. Through this project, we honor those who came before us while creating a lasting legacy for generations yet to come."
Beyond beautifying Five Points, the project will strengthen cultural tourism, support neighborhood businesses, preserve local history, and create a welcoming gathering place for community celebrations, educational programming, and civic engagement, and beyond 5 Points
The Community Task Force invites individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners to become part of this historic initiative. Contributions will help fund artist fees, materials, installation, lighting, and long-term preservation, ensuring the mural remains an enduring symbol of visibility, acceptance, and pride.
Support the Project
Tax-deductible donations can be made at:
Every contribution helps transform this vision into permanent landmarks that celebrates Jacksonville's past while inspiring its future with murals through-out Jacksonville.
About Will Not Be Erased
Will Not Be Erased is a community initiative operating under the Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Guided by a Community Task Force, the initiative develops public art, educational programs, and cultural experiences that preserve LGBTQ+ history, celebrate diversity, and foster belonging throughout Northeast Florida.
The Community Task Force is committed to ensuring that the stories, contributions, and resilience of Jacksonville's LGBTQ+ community remain visible through projects that enrich neighborhoods, inspire dialogue, and strengthen community connections.
Community Task Force Partners
- Reza Ride
- Reza Health
- UnSpoken Treasure Society
- Transgender Awareness Project (T.A.P.S.)
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
- JASMYN
- Jax Gay Magazine
- Yellow House
- Friends of the Quilt
- Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce & Foundation
- InCahoots Nightclub
Together, these organizations represent Jacksonville's civic, business, arts, healthcare, neighborhood, and LGBTQ+ communities. United by a shared vision, the Community Task Force is preserving history, supporting artists, fostering inclusion, and creating public spaces where everyone can feel seen, celebrated, and welcome.
About the Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation
The Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation is the charitable arm of the Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, leadership development, and community engagement, the Foundation works to build a stronger, more inclusive Northeast Florida while advancing initiatives that celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Media Contact
Will Not Be Erased
A Community Initiative of the Jacksonville LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation
Email: info@jaxlgbtchamber.org
Phone: (904) 452-8065
Donate:
www.WillNotBeErased.com
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Where the money goes...
Projects in the planning phases.
Our projects will begin with the mural on Lomax Street in 5 Points, InCahoots in Brooklyn, and possibly a downtown location with a church in Arlington & Riverside.
Total cost of murals will be in the thousands. But numerous small scale works will be done in the meantime as we raise funds.
We appreciate your commitment to our LGBTQ+ community.
WILL NOT BE ERASED Intiative Funds Update
The 5 Points Mural Project as been completly funded by private donors on behalf of the LGBTQ Community.
RAP now has a maintenance fund for the 5 Points Mural.
We have raised $4,030.00 in addition through the Jax LGBT Foundation which will be used for a second mural in the Brooklyn as planned.
WE APPRECIATE all of our DONORS in helping reach our goal and continue our work.
As I stated from the very beginning, "In response to efforts to remove rainbow crosswalks and other LGBTQ+ affirming symbols in Jacksonville, we are launching Will Not Be Erased — a community-driven fundraising initiative to create vibrant murals, sidewalk art, and parking lot installations that celebrate and represent the LGBTQ+ community."
Warmest Regards,
David Vandygriff
CEO/Founder of Jax LGBT Chamber
www.WillNotBeErased.com
About Will Not Be Eased Community Collective
Jax LGBT Foundation 501c3
The funds are operating under Will Not Be Erased a dba of the Jax LGBT Chamber Foundation. www.JaxLGBTChamber.org The Jax LGBT Chamber was founded in 2023. 100% of the funds will be used to create murals, parking lot installations and sidewalk art.
Our Partners
"Will Not Be Erased": A Fundraising Campaign to Preserve LGBTQ+ Visibility in Jacksonville, Florida
Our project will begin with the murals on Lomax Street in 5 Points, InCahoots in Brooklyn, and possibly a downtown location with a church in Arlington & Riverside..
Total cost of murals will be in the
thousands. But numerous small scale works will be done in the meantime as we raise funds.
We appreciate your commitment to our LGBTQ+ community.