A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the debut of "Polychromatic Super You," a 40-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 the retailers' Smoke with Pride campaign. This project highlights corporate investment in queer visibility amid Ferndale's reputation as a welcoming hub for LGBTQ+ residents.

Artistic Freedom Meets Community Support

Joey Salamon, a queer artist based in Michigan, designed the mural with full creative control from the commissioners. "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 work transforms an urban alley into a space of bold, polychromatic expression, drawing pedestrians into a visual celebration of identity and resilience.

Smoke with Pride Initiative Drives Donations

JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis launched the Smoke with Pride campaign to recognize historical ties between cannabis culture and LGBTQ+ communities, both often positioned as countercultural forces. Ten percent of proceeds from HYPE products sold at JARS locations will fund Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center, which provides shelter, counseling, and support for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. Proceeds from the full JARS x HYPE Smoke with Pride Kit go entirely to the center, with the companies urging direct donations as well. "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."

Interactive Element Connects Art to Action

A QR code embedded in the mural links visitors to details on the Smoke with Pride initiative, resources for the LGBTQ+ community, and a direct donation portal for the Ruth Ellis Center. This fusion of public art and technology makes engagement immediate and accessible, turning passive observation into active participation. Salamon emphasized the broader impact: "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."

Cultural Significance in Ferndale's Landscape

Ferndale has cultivated a strong LGBTQ+ presence, with events and businesses fostering inclusion long before broader societal shifts. Murals like "Polychromatic Super You" build on this foundation, amplifying personal stories through public spaces and corporate backing. By tying cannabis retail—legalized in Michigan since 2018—to Pride support, the project underscores evolving alliances between industries once marginalized and the communities they serve, potentially inspiring similar efforts in other cities.