Pelahatchie gets Rhodes family mural

By Susie A. Wolfe

Rhodes & Robby Pharmacy has been a staple downtown at the railroad tracks for more than 46 years, being the longest running business in town. Jack Rhodes’ grandfather and father preceeded him as pharmacists in town at different locations over the twentieth century. The first Rhodes pharmacist in Pelahatchie was Samuel Rhodes, who was first licensed in 1892. Rhodes’ descendents would follow his path in pharmacy, including Jack Rhodes.

Jack and Rosie Rhodes wanted to highlight the Rhodes’ Pelahatchie history. They had been considering a mural for the railroad-side of their building for a few years. They contacted Gavin Bird, an artist from Bird’s Nest Studio Jackson, after seeing the Brandon, Mississippi Egret/Guitar mural commissioned by Downtown Brandon.

“We spent two years looking, and were very fortunate to find Gavin,” said Rosie Rhodes. “Jack and I talked with him on the history and showed him the actual items he used in the mural, so we built it together. We are very pleased with the result!”

“I love it,” said Jack Rhodes, who is the third-generation Rhodes pharmacist. “His children, Holly Rhodes Harper and Justin Rhodes, represent the fourth generation of Rhodes pharmacists. They operate the pharmacy today.” The business has grown to include four pharmacists, seven techs, and a number of clerks.

Bird has painted 60-70 murals in the last six years. Originally from Jackson, Bird graduated from Madison Central and Holmes Community College but did not study art. He and his identical twin, Rowan, are now both artists in the Jackson area. His brother works with stained glass at the Pearl River Glass Studio. His father, Joe Bird, is the art director at WDSU in New Orleans.

Bird said painting a mural typically takes a couple of weeks, but the Rhodes’ mural has taken three to four weeks due to weather conditions. He said that typically a design like this will last more than ten years. He plans to have it finished for the Muscadine Jubilee.

After drafting a digital design, Bird put it in Pro Create on his iPad to get the grid that he painted with spray paint.

Bird said, “Public art often provides excitement and a sense of community that encourages other improvements in the area.”

Other businesses in Town are talking with Bird on future projects. For more information and to see many of the actual items in the mural, visit Rhodes & Robby Pharmacy.