Art with purpose: Q&A with the artists behind Avivo’s new mural
This summer saw an exciting art piece created at Avivo by a group of generous volunteers – a new mural. Learn more about how this exciting project came together and how design elements were chosen in this Q&A with Tianna Kuwica, co-owner of Off The Walls Murals.
Tell me a little bit about Off The Walls Murals:
I co-own Off The Walls Murals with Caroline Holland. We’re based in Florida, but I was born and raised in Minnesota and love expanding our work here and creating more public art in my home state.
Our lead artist, Natalie Benz, also grew up in Minnesota, and we love having her paint with us on our Minnesota projects.
What drew you to Avivo?
I learned about Avivo after seeing a news story on Facebook about Avivo Village, the indoor tiny house shelter in Minneapolis. My immediate thought was, “This is awesome. I want to donate here.”
I learned about Avivo after seeing a news story on Facebook about Avivo Village, the indoor tiny house shelter in Minneapolis. My immediate thought was, “This is awesome. I want to donate here.”
I visited Avivo’s website and learned more about the organization, and after meeting with the team, I was even more excited. It was obvious how deeply the people working there cared about the individuals they serve.
Giving back has been important to Caroline and I since we started Off The Walls Murals. A few times a year, we choose organizations doing meaningful work for people going through some of life’s hardest moments.
We feel incredibly lucky to create art for a living. If we can use that art to bring even a small amount of joy, hope or light to someone during a difficult time, those are some of the most meaningful projects we get to do.
What do you wish more people could know about Avivo?
One thing that really stood out to me was learning that Avivo meets people where they are in that moment and recognizes that they are still deserving of support. People don’t necessarily have to be sober before they can receive help. That really stuck with me. I was also struck by the genuine care of the people working there.
We saw that same warmth in the people in their programs. People would stop to talk to us while we painted and were excited about the mural and the services being offered.
One thing that really stood out to me was learning that Avivo meets people where they are in that moment and recognizes that they are still deserving of support.
How did the planning process play out, and how did the final design come to fruition?
We initially met with a group of Avivo staff members to hear directly from the people doing the work. We asked what they wanted people to feel when they saw the mural and what emotions were important to evoke.
The themes we kept hearing were hope, peace, and calm, with bright pops of color that wouldn’t feel overwhelming. They also wanted the mural to reflect Minnesota.
From there, we developed a design where nearly every element had meaning.
Can you describe what you are hoping people get out of the mural?
We designed the mural to create a welcoming, peaceful environment that reflects both Minnesota’s natural beauty and Avivo’s mission. Nearly every element has an intentional meaning behind it.
At the center is a Minnesota lake at sunrise, representing hope, new beginnings and the opportunity to move forward. Native flowers surround the landscape, including Minnesota’s state flower, the pink and white lady’s slipper, representing resilience and perseverance. Lilacs symbolize renewal and the promise of spring after a long winter, while a dragonfly represents transformation, adaptability and renewal, reflecting the change and growth many people experience as they move toward greater stability.
We also incorporated subtle nods to the Minneapolis cityscape and abstract geometric elements to give the mural energy and movement while keeping the overall environment peaceful. Even the color palette was intentional, combining bright teals, greens, pinks and warm yellows to feel optimistic and uplifting without becoming overstimulating.
Ultimately, we hope someone walking into Avivo sees it and feels even a little more hopeful about what comes next. Many of the people entering that space are in the middle of a major transition. We wanted the mural to remind them that change can also mean a new beginning and that there can be something beautiful ahead.
We also wanted it to be meaningful for Avivo’s staff. We hope it gives them a sense of pride in their space and serves as a visual reminder of the mission they carry out every day.
What would you say you got out of the experience?
Natalie and I had so much fun installing this mural. The Avivo staff was incredibly welcoming and appreciative, and that means a lot to us when we donate a project.
One of my favorite parts was interacting with the people coming in to use Avivo’s services. They would stop to watch us paint, ask questions or tell us about a family member who paints or how they make art themselves. People seemed excited to watch the mural take shape.
One of my favorite parts was interacting with the people coming in to use Avivo’s services. They would stop to watch us paint, ask questions or tell us about a family member who paints or how they make art themselves.
That’s one of the special things about creating murals in an active community space. Everyone gets to see the finished piece, but only a small group gets to watch it go from a sketch on the wall to a completed mural. Getting to share that process and talk with people while we worked made this project especially memorable.
Are you interested in volunteering to support Avivo? Learn more about individual and group volunteer opportunities here. You can also make a donation to support individuals and families in our programs.