Community-crafted mural at Avivo Village beautifies space

A blank, cinder block wall at Avivo Village has been transformed into a vibrant, community-crafted mural thanks to a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

“We applied [for the grant] to do a mural project at an Avivo housing location,” explains Tovah Rudawski, program manager of Avivo’s ArtWorks program. “The goal is really to bring arts programming and beautification of the space and invite residents of Avivo Village be involved in a collaborative, community-based arts project.”

“The goal is really to bring arts programming and beautification of the space and invite residents of Avivo Village be involved in a collaborative, community-based arts project.” – Tovah Rudawski, program manager of Avivo’s ArtWorks program.

Over three days, artists Olivia Levins Holden, Nell Pierce, and Bayou Bay, collaborating through Studio Thalo, led open design sessions on-site. As residents sketched words and images, a core concept emerged which connects residents with their journey. “It’s amazing when you think about it—this all stems from sitting around a table together, with snacks and paper rolled out, where people are writing and drawing,” shares Tovah. Once the collective design was projected and traced onto the wall, residents helped paint portions of the lower sections, ensuring residents were able to be active participants in the project.y

The imagery reflects personal stories shared during those sessions. Nell shares, “We heard a big theme of people talking about the importance of finding a space of quiet within the chaos around them.”

“We heard a big theme of people talking about the importance of finding a space of quiet within the chaos around them.” – Nell Pierce, artist.

“Nature’s a huge piece of this, and we wanted to incorporate it,” shares Bayou. “All the medicine that’s in here is inspired by all the medicine that’s already in space. The butterfly metaphors were inspired by a conversation where someone had a profound experience with two butterflies … People said they wanted animals and nature. That’s right in line with what we do.”

For Avivo staff, the mural signals more than aesthetic improvement—it’s an affirmation of community and respect for the land. Avivo Village program manager Chase Keye reflects, “We’re not an indigenous shelter, but acknowledging this is indigenous land is a big driving factor.” The bright colors and thoughtful symbolism soften the Village’s industrial edges, creating a “meditative spot where people can reflect on the words, reflect on the images, and have a different experience here,” as Nell puts it.

“We’re not an indigenous shelter, but acknowledging this is indigenous land is a big driving factor.” – Chase Key, Program Manager, Avivo Village.

Although residents at Avivo Village often move on quickly after finding permanent housing, the mural remains a permanent testament to their voices. “Even if people aren’t ready to engage in a significant way, just seeing it … can be really meaningful,” Nell says.

In this renewed space, the new mural invites reflection, sparks inspiration, and stands as a vivid reminder that beauty and creativity can flourish anywhere.

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