Wyndham Rewards Unveils Finalists for Gillespie Wall Mural Honoring Greensboro Six

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Wyndham Rewards has unveiled the three finalists for the Gillespie Wall Mural honoring The Greensboro Six civil rights pioneers. The finalists, Vincent Ballentine, Raman Bhardwaj, and Abel Jackson, bring diverse artistic backgrounds and experiences to the project. The mural will be installed at the historic Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, N.C., commemorating the legacy of The Greensboro Six and their pivotal role in desegregating the course and paving the way for diversity in golf.

Top three candidates chosen from more than 50 artists nationwide; Winning artist to be selected next month following formal presentations of original concepts

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The nationwide search for an artist to help honor civil rights pioneers The Greensboro Six has officially narrowed to three finalists: Vincent Ballentine of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Raman Bhardwaj of Greensboro, N.C. and Abel Jackson of Charlotte, N.C.

Selected by a committee of key community figures and organizations, more than 50 artists from across the nation submitted qualifications for consideration. The outdoor mural, slated for installation at historic Gillespie Golf Course, is being commissioned by Wyndham Rewards^®—proud title sponsor of the PGA TOUR's Wyndham Championship—and overseen by the City of Greensboro in partnership with First Tee - Central Carolina.

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"The Greensboro Six left a lasting legacy at Gillespie—one that deserves to be memorialized for generations to come. Our chosen finalists have unparalleled talent and passion for their craft, and the quality of their work makes us confident these men will have a permanent place to be celebrated in our community."

- Ryan Wilson, CEO, First Tee – Central Carolina

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Meet the Finalists
Selected from a pool of more than 50 artists nationwide, the three finalists collectively bring more than 80 years of experience while representing a variety of styles and skills.

• Vincent Ballentine (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
  Vincent is a multi-disciplined visual artist with a degree in film and education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and continued study in film at Cleveland Institute of Art. His work ranges from digital illustration and animation, to large-scale murals and street art and has been commissioned by the likes of NCAA, MTV and BET, among others. In approaching the opportunity with Gillespie, his aim is to delve into the intricate and layered history of Greensboro while producing work that captivates and inspires.
• Raman Bhardwaj (Greensboro, N.C.)
  Raman is an accomplished, multi-medium artist with multiple degrees from Panjab University in India. A lover of drawing from the age of six, he spent the early years of his career as an illustrator before branching out as a full-time freelance artist. Today, Raman lives in Greensboro creating murals, portraits, paintings and illustrations for a wide range of clients—from national brands like the Charlotte Hornets to local groups like Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.
• Abel Jackson (Charlotte, N.C.)
  Abel is a talented and deliberate visual artist with a passion for creative visual expression. A graduate of Winthrop University with a degree in graphic design, he is known for his open approach to his medium of choice and the belief that as an artist, you can "paint anything on anything." Specializing in fine art, custom portraits and murals, he has a passion for creating thought-providing work that cultivates unity, pride and inspiration.

The Legacy of The Greensboro Six
In 1955, one week after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, six Black men led by Dr. George Simkins started a local movement of their own by defiantly playing a round at the whites-only Gillespie Golf Course. They were later arrested, convicted of trespassing and spent 15 days in jail. Seven years and numerous court cases later, their actions led to Gillespie desegregating, and later, seeing The Greater Greensboro Open (now the Wyndham Championship) become the first PGA Tour event in the South to welcome a Black player (Charlie Sifford).

Today, Gillespie is home to First Tee - Central Carolina, a national youth development program using the game of golf to create life-changing opportunities for local youth on and off the course. It also has the distinction of being the first course in North Carolina to offer PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a national program leveraging golf to enhance the wellbeing of active-duty military and veterans and is one of the only courses in the Triad catering to players with spinal injuries and disabilities through adaptive equipment and free programs.

To learn more about the Greensboro Six Mural Project at Gillespie Golf Course, visit FirstTeeCentralCarolina.org/Mural-Project.

Images associated with the above release can be downloaded here.

About The City of Greensboro
Built around the core values of respect, inclusiveness, safety, innovation and sustainability, the mission of the City of Greensboro is to shape an inclusive future for equitable economic opportunity and sustainable, safe neighborhoods through resident focused services and programs. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department exists to provide professional and diverse leisure opportunities through inclusive programs, facilities, parks, and open space, ensuring that Greensboro is a desirable place to work, live, and play. Learn more at Greensboro-NC.gov.

About First Tee Central Carolina
First Tee - Central Carolina is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. Using golf and life skills as our tools, we provide kids opportunities on and off the course they may never have otherwise. We are active throughout the Triad region, and specifically focused on serving the East Greensboro and East Winston-Salem communities. Learn more at FirstTeeCentralCarolina.org.

About The Wyndham Championship
Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed golf course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the seventh-oldest event on the PGA TOUR, excluding the Majors. As the last tournament of the regular season, it sets the 70-player field for the FedExCup Playoffs. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Rewards and presenting sponsor Truist for their continued support. Additional tournament information is available at WyndhamChampionship.com and the tournament's social media channels (@WyndhamChamp) on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

About Wyndham Rewards
Proud title sponsor of the Wyndham Championship, Wyndham Rewards^® is the blue thread tying together some of the world's largest and most well-known travel companies and brands: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company and Club Wyndham^®, the flagship vacation ownership brand of Travel + Leisure Co. Recognized as the #1 hotel rewards program by both U.S. News and World Report and USA Today, members—over 106 million enrolled around the world—earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem for free nights starting at just 7,500 points. With more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally, no other hotel rewards program is more generous or offers more places to stay. Join for free at WyndhamRewards.com.

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SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

FAQ

Who are the three finalists chosen for the Gillespie Wall Mural honoring The Greensboro Six?

The three finalists are Vincent Ballentine from Brooklyn, N.Y., Raman Bhardwaj from Greensboro, N.C., and Abel Jackson from Charlotte, N.C.

What is the significance of the Gillespie Wall Mural project commissioned by Wyndham Rewards?

The mural project aims to honor The Greensboro Six civil rights pioneers and their impact on desegregating Gillespie Golf Course, as well as promoting diversity in golf.

What is the background of Vincent Ballentine, one of the finalists for the mural project?

Vincent Ballentine is a multi-disciplined visual artist with a degree in film and education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. His work includes digital illustration, animation, and large-scale murals commissioned by organizations like NCAA, MTV, and BET.

Who were The Greensboro Six and what was their contribution to civil rights history?

The Greensboro Six were a group of Black men who defied segregation laws by playing at the whites-only Gillespie Golf Course in 1955, leading to its eventual desegregation and paving the way for diversity in golf.

What programs are currently hosted at Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro?

Gillespie Golf Course is home to First Tee - Central Carolina, a youth development program using golf to create opportunities for local youth, as well as PGA HOPE, a program for active-duty military and veterans.