Murals for a Cause. At Mural Envy, we believe strongly in the power of public art.
Imagine you are walking through a hospital on the way to visit a hurt friend. Your spirits are low. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch a splash of bright color in an otherwise neutral hallway. You turn to look. You see a large mural filled with positive imagery: a girl offering a flower, a tree with a golden apple, a woman saving seeds in a jar, an elderly hand tending roses. You read the accompanying sign and learn that this mural was painted for a local organization that helps victims of domestic abuse, like your friend. In fact, the very hospital you are in is a partner against domestic violence. You feel encouraged. You continue upstairs to visit your friend, carrying a renewed sense of hope that she will receive the support she needs.
Visions like this one inspired me to propose, design and paint the HOPE Mural for The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury. To develop the imagery, I spoke with volunteers and staff at the Women’s Center to learn about their passions and motivations, and to hear their stories of serving the greater Danbury community. From these conversations came a clear message of hope, empathy, advocacy and diversity.
The scope of public projects like the HOPE Mural is beyond the reach of one person. It took true collaboration and community support to bring this vision to life. Under the banner of EndWorks–a project which brings together regional artists to give voice to and increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault–five organizations contributed to the mural’s creation: The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, Western Connecticut Health Services (Danbury Hospital), The Connecticut Office of the Arts, and of course, Mural Envy. I am deeply indebted to you all.
