Christian Park
FULL COVERAGE MURAL
Collaborating with Indy Parks and 91 Place, this mural transformed a dark wall into the showstopping centerpiece of an indoor gym
Setting the Mood
In partnership with Indianapolis Parks & Rec and 91 Place, I donated a mural inspired by conversations with participants of 91 Place.
91 Place provides transitional housing, workforce development, and mental health supports to youth ages 16-24 facing homelessness in Indianapolis.
My goal with the design and color choices was to create something that would go along with the celebratory events that take place in the gym, such as birthday parties, family get togethers, etc. The mural will serve as a colorful backdrop for pictures and help the space feel festive and inviting.
Design Concepts
Following the meeting with 91 Place youth and mentors, there were a lot of compelling concepts to explore for the mural. I focused on three and developed mural designs for each one to share with Indy Parks & Rec.
CASCADE: Water drops alone seem inconsequential. However, water as a geologic force of nature carves massive canyons over time. Each drop of water adds up and has a job to do. This design is a colorful cascade of abstract water drops that shows homage to small but mighty actions that cumulate to make a big impact.
BURROWS: Beetles that carve paths into the bark of trees make beautiful, linear designs as they meander in search of the basic need of food. The linear shapes of this design are inspired by burrows carved into trees as a testament to challenging journeys and looking back on how far we’ve come. Each person’s journey is unique and we can all learn from looking beneath the surface and getting to know one another.
CROSSBEDDING: Individual grains of sand make up gargantuan sand dunes. The direction of wind affects how the sand sediment forms striations. Over time, different angles of sand show up in the sedimentary rock, which is a term called crossbedding. This design is an abstract interpretation of that natural phenomenon. Our lives consist of many different phases and we are a complex palimpsest of lived experiences.
Public Input
The Indy Parks & Recs folks picked Cascade as the design and the next step was to finalize colors.
We wanted to let the public vote on the color palette so we set up a poster and ballot box in the lobby of Christian Park.
It was important to everyone involved in the project that the people who actually use the facility were the ones casting votes instead of people on the internet.
After four weeks, I counted the 68 votes and D turned out to be the clear winner!
Painting Process
The first step for paint prep is always cleaning the wall. For this old, haggard, patchy surface there was also a need for patching some of the big holes and gaps. The final surface was not perfect, but helped the painting process go more smoothly (pun intended).
To transfer the design to the wall, I took a picture of the wall and used Photoshop to add the mural design as a semi-transparent layer. In this instance, having lines and texture on the wall acted as a “grid” of sorts.
I also did some quick math to determine the width of each “water drop” would be 8 inches. For easier design transfer, I made a cardboard template of the rounded part of the water drop. Simple strategy makes the installation process more fun and enjoyable.
Before and After
This vibrant mural transformed the back wall into an inviting party backdrop.
Testimonial
“I can't say enough wonderful things about working with Siena! She transformed our historical gym at Christian Park into an absolute masterpiece with the 91 Place-inspired mural. From the moment we engaged with Siena, she demonstrated unparalleled professionalism and patience. Siena truly went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfect.
“What sets Siena apart is her dedication to collaboration. She didn't just paint a mural; she co-created an artwork with input from 91 Place residents and staff. Working with Siena was an absolute pleasure, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking not just a mural, but an unforgettable artistic experience.”
Karynn Adamowicz
Chief Advancement Officer of 91 Place