Ella Fitzgerald mural comes to singer’s Virginia hometown

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Virginia town plans to unveil a mobile mural of its native daughter, singer Ella Fitzgerald.

News outlets report the 13-foot (3.96-meter)-tall, 12-foot (3.66-meter)-wide mural is scheduled to be installed Thursday in Newport News at Jefferson Brookville Apartments.

A small rendering of the mural was unveiled in a ceremony at city hall Tuesday. Officials say the mural is intended to travel to various outdoor and indoor locations every two to four weeks.

The mural is part of a city initiative to celebrate 100 years of the singer’s life and educate people about her Newport News roots. Fitzgerald, who died in 1996 at the age of 79, would have celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday.

Shelly Ezanno, superintendent of special events and promotions, says the Economic Development Authority provided about $15,000 to fund the project.