What Community Murals Have Taught Me
There is something magical about turning a blank wall into a colorful story with an entire neighborhood. Over the years I’ve learned that painting community murals isn’t really about the paint—it’s about the people.
When I first started creating community murals, I thought my biggest job was designing beautiful artwork. What I’ve learned is that my real job is designing an experience where everyone can succeed. The secret is to create bold, simple designs that people of every age and every artistic ability can help bring to life.
A community mural is really a four- or five-day recipe.
First, the wall has to be cleaned and prepared. Then we roll on the background colors, creating a fresh canvas for what is to come. The next day I sketch out the design using chalk or charcoal, keeping the lines simple enough that anyone can pick up a brush and feel confident.
Then comes my favorite day—the community painting day.
People from every walk of life show up. We’ve had painters as young as two years old and as wise as ninety-three. Everyone receives a paint color and an area to work on, and my job becomes less about painting and more about encouraging, organizing, and cheering everyone on.
One of my favorite things to observe is how differently people paint. Some artists use soft, wispy brushstrokes while others paint with bold confidence. Some carefully stay inside every line, while others can hardly wait to paint beyond them. Some leave tiny details, others leave giant drips running down the wall.
And every single one of those styles is perfect.
Of course, when I return the next morning, there are drips, uneven edges, and places that seem far from finished. Years ago I might have panicked. Now I smile.
I’ve learned that murals are a lot like people. The beauty doesn’t appear all at once.
The following day is all about touch-ups, highlights, shadows, and pulling everything together. It’s amazing how a few finishing details can transform what once looked chaotic into one beautiful, unified piece of art. Every brushstroke—perfect or imperfect—becomes part of the finished story.
When the mural is complete, the city applies a protective anti-graffiti coating. If someone does tag the wall, it can be cleaned without damaging the artwork. Interestingly, studies have shown that community murals are actually less likely to be tagged. It seems that when people help create something beautiful, they naturally want to protect it. Even those who might otherwise leave their mark often respect the art that’s already there.
During our community painting days, it’s always heartwarming to see neighbors painting alongside one another. Mayor Matt, Vice Mayor Pam Foley, local leaders, families, children, and longtime residents all grab a paintbrush and add their own little piece to the mural. For a few hours, titles disappear, conversations begin, and strangers become neighbors.
Color has a way of doing that.
So if your neighborhood has a wall that’s constantly being covered with graffiti, perhaps the answer isn’t another coat of gray paint. Maybe it’s a mural. Maybe it’s an invitation for the community to create something together.
Because in the end, a mural isn’t just paint on a wall.
It’s pride.
It’s laughter.
It’s memories.
It’s belonging.
And every time someone walks by and smiles, the mural keeps painting the community long after the splatters, drips, and brushes have been cleaned.
Namaste — Karen
