“Before I die” wall: A public art canvas

The “Before I die” wall on Morris Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama, serves as a unique public art installation that encourages reflection and community engagement [4, 6, 9]. Inspired by Candy Chang's global project that began in New Orleans, the mural prompts visitors to consider their mortality and share their personal aspirations by completing the sentence, “Before I die, I want to _____” [6, 15]. The Birmingham mural first appeared in the spring of 2019, created by Marcus Fetch of Redpath Creative, with support from Kinetic Communications and REV Birmingham [3, 6, 9]. The concept quickly captured the hearts of locals, who filled the wall with a range of heartfelt, humorous, and thought-provoking responses [6]. The original wall was painted with black chalkboard paint, allowing for easy updates and a constantly evolving display of community thoughts [6]. In July 2021, the mural faced a setback when a fire damaged the wall [3]. However, the community rallied to restore it, and in January 2024, a refreshed mural was unveiled, featuring artwork by local artist Catherine Blake [3]. Blake's design incorporates playful pigeons, inspired by the birds often seen on Morris Avenue, adding a unique Birmingham touch to the project [3]. The “Before I die” wall continues to be a dynamic and meaningful landmark in Birmingham, reflecting the city's spirit and providing a space for collective introspection [6, 9].