A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the debut of "Polychromatic Super You," a 40-foot-by-25-foot mural by Michigan artist Joey Salamon in a downtown Ferndale alley at 258 W. Nine Mile Rd. Commissioned by JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis, the artwork celebrates Pride and the LGBTQ+ community while tying into their Smoke with Pride campaign that directs donations to Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center for at-risk youth. This public installation highlights corporate investment in queer visibility amid longstanding cultural links between cannabis and LGBTQ+ circles.
Artwork Born from Trust and Creative Freedom
Joey Salamon, a queer artist based in Michigan, received full design control for the mural, a gesture that underscores the commissioning companies' commitment to authentic expression. "For them to hire me for this specific project and give me free rein on design, it not only shows their trust in my process, but it also shows their openness to having a queer artist freely express themselves without restrictions on something that is not only personal to me but also to many others in Ferndale and beyond," Salamon said. Ferndale, a suburb long associated with progressive values, gains a bold statement of inclusion through this alleyway centerpiece.
Smoke with Pride Campaign Fuels Community Aid
JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis launched their partnership to benefit the Ruth Ellis Center, which provides safe spaces and support services for LGBTQ+ youth in the Detroit region. The initiative donates 10 percent of proceeds from HYPE products bought at JARS locations, plus 100 percent from the JARS x HYPE Smoke with Pride Kit. "JARS Cannabis is thrilled to have the opportunity to unveil this incredible Pride-inspired mural to the Ferndale community," said JARS Marketing Director Stefanie Michels. "Recognizing the intertwining history between cannabis and the LGBTQ+ community, it is our hope that ‘Polychromatic Super You’ will serve to spark important conversations that surround the two counterculture movements, as well as encourage mural visitors to continue to donate, support, and share the love with Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community all year-round."
QR Code Bridges Art, Information, and Action
A QR code on the mural invites smartphone users to explore the Smoke with Pride details, access resources, and donate directly to the Ruth Ellis Center. This tech integration extends the artwork's reach, turning passive viewers into active participants in year-round support. Salamon emphasized the mural's role in fostering connections: "It’s always an extra bonus when I get to create artwork with the main intent to showcase LGBTQ+ representation. For companies such as JARS and HYPE to invest in projects like this, it not only adds visibility, but it helps to create a connection to the community."
