But while knowledge of Desmond’s stand grew in the following decades, the Roseland Theatre faded. In the ’90s, competition from the multi-screen cinema in nearby Aberdeen Mall saw the theatre closed for good. New life came in the form of late-night bar Roseland Cabaret. 

The building seemed destined to court controversy. In 2013, Roseland Cabaret patron Scott Jones was paralyzed following a vicious attack outside the bar. A similar incident the following year left another patron fighting for his life. As complaints from the community grew, it was significant roof damage rather than the rowdy clientele that eventually led to the nightclub’s closure. Demolition beckoned until the former theatre was rescued by lawyer and property developer Jamie MacGillivray. In his hands, the building’s transformation began.

While renovating the building, which now houses a custom automotive shop, MacGillivray saw an opportunity to honour Desmond. In early 2018 he announced an art competition based on the theme Viola Desmond. The winners would see their work adorn the exterior south wall of the building. 

MacGillivray admits the primary aim of the contest was promotion. Concerns were soon raised over the lack of consultation with the Black community. Henderson Paris, a local civil rights activist and former New Glasgow town councillor, came forward. Paris had previously attended the 2018 unveiling of Viola’s Way, a section of road adjacent to the theatre that was renamed to honour the civil rights icon. He was keen to see Desmond commemorated further, going on to form the Viola Commemorative Committee to oversee the art project.

“We were blown away,” says Paris. “There were over 500 submissions. We decided that it needed to be a whole wall of Viola.”