Who is Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr?
Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr.
Murals, Mentorship, and Making an Impact in Holyoke. Ma
Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr. is more than an artist; he is a force for positive change, using his creativity to inspire and empower the Holyoke community. Through vibrant public murals and a dedication to mentorship, Bowie’s work is a testament to overcoming adversity and building a brighter future, one painting at a time.
An Artist Defined by Community
Bowie's primary artistic canvas is the world around him. His large-scale public murals are a vibrant presence in his native Holyoke, as well as in other communities like Houston, Texas. These aren't just paintings; they are public statements and sources of community pride. A notable example is his 2019 mural in Holyoke’s Piña Park, which pays homage to the Taíno sun and celebrates cultural identity.
Personal Journey, Powerful Message
Bowie’s personal story is a key ingredient in his work and his mission. Having grown up biracial in the 1980s, he uses his art to actively challenge stereotypes and spread a message of self-acceptance and defiance. His powerful ethos,
"…You don't have to be what they say you are…"
is a guiding principle that informs his work and his community engagement.
Building the Next Generation of Creators
Beyond his personal art, Bowie's legacy includes his work as a social entrepreneur and educator.
Pioneer Urban Arts: He founded this Holyoke-based program to provide a creative outlet for young people, offering them a positive and expressive platform.
Mentorship: For decades, Bowie has used his art to inspire and empower youth. His work with students at places like the
Academic Achievement Center in Amherst Regional High School
has helped young people develop both creatively and academically.
Investing in the Community
What makes Bowie's contributions even more impactful is his long-standing commitment to giving back. He has frequently funded his community projects out of his own pocket, a testament to his deep-seated motivation that goes beyond a paycheck. His dedication shows that for Bowie, art is not just a profession—it's a purpose.
Pioneer Urban Arts
In the past, a few times others have help bring the cost to run this project down, but it mostly still ends up with Min Tyrone having to give all he could afford to give, to allow him to achieve the goals he has for providing the support the community desperately needs.
“ We all paint ourselves onto the fabric of time. we just need someone to teach to paint with the colors of change, For us to paint a bright future.”
Minister Tyrone Bowie Jr.
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
In 2003 when Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr. was 24 when he became the
1st Recreational Volleyball Coordinator
under the recommendation by the then Mayor Michael Sullivan.
He worked close with the then Holyoke Parks & Recreation Staff,
Director Carolyn Porter,
Ass. Director Terry Sheppard
Head Clerk Beverly Smith.
He held this position for 14 Years and would go on to create many more.
Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr. would go on to co-create positions, program and events such as:
Holyoke Parks & Rec Cookies with Santa Provided Holyoke Residents who couldn’t make to tree lighting the opportunity to Still meet Santa
Gave the young a spooky City Halls for Trick or Treat Halloween event.
Made Wood holiday photo cutouts for events
1st Holidays decorator of the City Council room
1st urban artist to make sure he decks the Halls for the Holiday Season
Designed his own ordainments
Needs no ladder
Cookies With Santa turn out year 1
Cookies With Santa turn out year 1
He kept his own unique style when bring cheer to the community
Custom made plant lights for the parks office
ensured youth got to meet Santa
Mecca Holyoke Volleyball
more info about this past program
Find pass program info on facebook
I was bored awaiting for program time to start
John J Lynch Jr High Gym Art
Community Arts
Face Painting
Youth Art program
Logos
park Chalk Art
Community Connection
Free form line art in parks
Murals
Chalk board art
Photo pharm cut outs (Sally)
Lavidia
Lavern
HPR Pool
Temp Mural in Holyoke
Thanks to the Communtiy work of Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr and standing up against racism in his community …
Malcolm X Day is Now in Holyoke
On May 19th, 2023
With the blessing from
Ilyasah Shabazz
Daughter of the great Malcolm X
and the hard work of
Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr.
MALCOLM X DAY
IN HOLYOKE MA
Was Created
A day of remembrance, respect for ALL African subcultures* and celebrations of representation and to commend the contribution to community building from members of the Negro American culture.
* When ask Holyoke’s elected officials for a day to acknowledge and respect for the North black American Culture by honoring on of our greatest leaders. We would be told we couldn’t unless we made it about Afro-Caribbean’s as well. They refused to support the Holyoke Negro American Excellence award dinner because we wouldn’t agree to share a day that was asked to be about His people the Negro American and representation. We suggested that each Afro-subculture have the ability to have the same respect and representation we were asking for, but they just doubled down each sending one day’s worth of ignorance via text. They then canceled the Holyoke Black Excellence Award Ceremony and exclude the Holyoke Negro American community members from any other planning of the day they ask for and repurposed the day as they seemed fit.
We may not have got the day we ask for, but we can still move forward in our pursuit for equality. Still a win.
This image will be made into a moving Mural For next year’s celebration! Will be painted by
Min Tyrone Bowie Jr
Click Links Below to see
Video Evidence.
Testimonial:
“I first met Tyrone at age 15 when I attended his community art program a couple weeks after making a big move from New Jersey to Holyoke Massachusetts. He quickly became a mentor and a father figure becoming a great influence in my growth and maturity as a person. For as long as I known Tyrone, he was always dedicated to the community in one capacity or another. He has many virtues and a wide skill set that range from public speaking to graphic designing, making him a swiss army knife of sorts. Tyrone will always give you, and the program, 100% at all times while encouraging his peers to put their best forward also. He embodies the definition of dependability and leadership. If there is anyone that you want on your team leading the charge, it would be Tyrone. But what do I know, he’s only been my black dad for 12 years.”
— Luis Galarza