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 vibrant artwork celebrates Pride and the LGBTQ+ community as part of their Smoke with Pride campaign. This project highlights corporate investment in queer visibility amid Ferndale's reputation as a welcoming hub for diverse identities.
Artist's Vision Meets Corporate Support
Joey Salamon, a queer artist based in Michigan, received full creative freedom for the mural's design, a gesture that underscores the retailers' 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. The artist emphasized the personal resonance of the work, noting its relevance to Ferndale residents and the wider region. Salamon added that such commissions boost LGBTQ+ representation and foster community ties, amplifying visibility in public spaces.
Smoke with Pride Initiative Drives Donations
JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis launched the Smoke with Pride campaign to benefit Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center, which provides safe housing and support for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. The companies pledge 10 percent of proceeds from HYPE products sold at JARS locations to the center, with 100 percent of sales from the JARS x HYPE Smoke with Pride Kit directed there as well. They also urge direct donations to the center. JARS Marketing Director Stefanie Michels stated, "JARS Cannabis is thrilled to have the opportunity to unveil this incredible Pride-inspired mural to the Ferndale community. 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."
Interactive Element Connects Art to Action
A QR code on the mural invites visitors to scan with their smartphones, linking to details on the Smoke with Pride initiative, LGBTQ+ resources, and a donation portal for the Ruth Ellis Center. This fusion of art and technology transforms a static mural into an engagement tool, bridging cultural expression with tangible support. Ferndale, long recognized for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues, gains another landmark that invites reflection on shared histories between cannabis culture—once marginalized—and queer communities, both rooted in countercultural resilience.
Broadening Visibility Through Public Art
Public murals like "Polychromatic Super You" extend beyond aesthetics, embedding messages of inclusion into everyday urban landscapes. By commissioning queer-led art, corporations signal alliance with movements for equity, potentially influencing peer businesses to follow suit. In Ferndale, where LGBTQ+ events draw regional crowds, this installation reinforces the area's role as a cultural beacon, encouraging year-round advocacy and dialogue on community support.
