MANSFIELD — The Jericho Wall on Sunday will have a visual reminder of the impact of overdose deaths in Richland County.
Nearly 400 painted metal stars will be attached to the east fence of the Jericho Wall of Remembrance and Recovery as part of a ceremony Sunday at 6 p.m., each representing a life lost in Richland County to drug overdose since 2016.
The memorial art park, which features the artwork of 10 local artists covering 16 concrete bays on a 190-foot wall, is now in its third summer of existence.
The wall is located on West Dickson Avenue, east of Bowman Street, between West Third and Fourth Streets, in the Imagination District downtown.
The park, just east of First Christian Church and managed by the ARC Empowerment Center, was dedicated in August of 2023, placing on it 85 names of people who have died of overdose, placed with the permission of their families.
That is to be an ongoing feature of the wall.
Last year, a pavilion was built, sponsored by the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board. Still to come is signage that will offer education for those seeking help for mental health and addiction recovery.
The stars 3-4 inches in size, were painted by several groups in the area, coordinated by Rachael Justice and Jayne Stahlke, who lead a weekly art program at Mosaic Church.
Other groups that decorated stars include a women’s group at Fusion Church in Lexington; Julie Parsons and her park art classes; Ignited girls in Shelby; and Community Alternative Center (CAC) in Mansfield.
Those attending Sunday evening will be invited to place stars on the east fence themselves, during a time of worship and music.
