It’s been almost two years since DeLand lost one of its beloved residents. Rufus Pinkney was an icon for years because of his shoe shine business in the parking lot between Pizza Hut and the Denim Dive and Boutique, off East New York Avenue. Since Rufus passed away on Sept. 13, 2016, the city’s locals and shoes have not shined quite as bright.
The city wanted to do something special to memorialize Rufus for generations to come. A beautiful mural was revealed earlier this month in Pinkney’s honor that captures his personality that brightened the lives of so many residents and visitors.
To memorialize him, Main Street DeLand commissioned the mural, which will join with other scenes from DeLand’s past on downtown walls. The organization put out a call for artists and chose Palm Coast artist Robert Ammon from eight submissions.
After reading up on Rufus and meeting with his children and others who knew the late DeLand resident, Ammon had a lot of inspiration with which to work with. The painter’s piece is comprised of panels, each offering a glimpse into a part of Pinkney’s life. There’s a portrait of Pinkney and his son and daughter, a panel that shows Rufus playing the harmonica and a panel with a big shoe on which his reflection can be seen.
Rufus may have left DeLand, but he will never leave the hearts of those who knew him and interacted with him. He not only made shoes shine brighter, but he also made lives shine brighter. Now, his legacy will live on.
