mural by cianna jackson painted for Raleigh Stories — Cianna Jackson's Raleigh Stories installation

Raleigh Stories Public Art Project: Tarboro Road Park

A public art project created by Deborah Aschheim and Ciana Jackson for Raleigh Arts

Updated: May 9, 2025

Artist Cianna Jackson's “Finding I AM” mural in the Tarboro Road Community Center gym was created in collaboration with local teens at the Saint Monica's Teen Center Program and features elements that glow under black light during black-light dodgeball and pickleball games. The mural is part of the Raleigh Stories Public Art Project.

Raleigh Stories project by Cianna Jackson

people playing with a ball — Raleigh Stories project by Cianna Jackson

About the Artist

Artist Ciana Jackson smiling and holding up her hands in front of her mural.

Ciana Jackson is an illustrator and designer. Self-taught in her early years, she developed a passion for storytelling through art and honed her craft throughout her collegiate studies at Saint Augustine's University. Her work is known for its unique and captivating style, which she achieves through her use of digital, watercolor, and acrylic paints.

Cianna finds inspiration in the natural wonders around her and seeks to express her love of creation through her art. Her illustrations are filled with color, personality, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Born in Bermuda, Jackson has been living and working as an artist in Raleigh, NC, for almost 25 years. Cianna is an alumna of Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) class of 2016 with a BA in Visual Arts concentrating on Graphic Design.

Project Statement

“Finding I AM” is a community engagement and public art project located in the Tarboro Road Community Center gym that provokes teens to explore purpose. Because the adolescent years are a pivotal time in one’s life spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically, Cianna believes it is crucial to be intentional when building up the youth in our community. The title “Finding I AM” symbolizes a journey of finding purpose in a world of constant distractions. This mural has two distinct aspects that reveal themselves to people at the community center as they participate in everyday activities, one in standard lighting and one in blacklight. Additionally, “Finding I AM” has duality in that “I AM” is also one of the names of the God of the Christian faith. Cianna thought of this dual meaning because she found a relationship with God in her search for purpose, and her path became clear.

Raleigh Stories Public Art Project