Mural Reflection
by Alicia Crowley-Hall
Hello, my name is Alicia and I am a rare 'Oly Original' that is shy about my art. Art was something I studied in college and as an adult, has always been something I do individually and kind of squirreled away from the public in little corners of my house where I zone into whatever craft I want while listening to a podcast, book or more so, YouTube.
One day, while volunteering at the Hummingbird studio, there was a person, who turned out to be one of the most inspiring folks I have ever met, Vega, going around asking about plants etc. and a sign up sheet for painting a mural. At the time, I didn't know what I was saying yes to, and how much it would save my life- no sarcasm noted.
Prior to starting the mural, I decided I would commit myself to opening up about the art I create and be open to this entire process. Since day one, I realized that this was so much more than painting on one of the most historically bumpy wall imaginable; it was an experience of community I haven't had since college; go Geoducks!
One of the things I loved the most about this experience was the opportunity to be in direct contact with the community. This project brought together folks from hummingbird, families, by standards who took the opportunity to paint, mural artists and more. It was so awesome to briefly get to know why someone was motivated to come to the mural and paint and feeling that connection of we all have that same similar motivation.
Overall, I learned that believing in myself was the key for my experience from the beginning to end with the mural. I am very critical of my art and I realized no matter how much praise I received, there was still a gremlin in my mind trying to tear me down. Due to this project, I am now looking at showing my art in the community and working on various forms every week. I learned that humans are wired for connection, and no matter who I came into contact with, my experience was positive. It was crazy what being unable to touch a phone for hours on end can do for you. It was so lovely to talk to people in real life. It made you realize that the culture of constantly being on our phones dims a little light in you unknowingly. Last but not least, radical acceptance is necessary. Change is inevitable and throughout the time time painting, there were changes in the environment daily ( thank you ally goo ), weather changes from very hot to feeling gratitude for the trees shade in the afternoon, availability of tools (you may have a favorite paint brush, but it's not yours, and that is totally okay! You can check off that you are a now able to paint with anything.) And changes in our selves. We all showed up giving the project whatever we were able to, and it was okay and enough. The gentleness I felt for myself when I showed up feeling lower than I have in this season of my life and leaving knowing that I was accepted for the contribution I made grew my resilience toward the difficulties I was experiencing in my life.
So, looping back, this is more than a mural, it was a summer filled with life lessons I didn't know I would learn and that there is so much opportunity saying yes. I am so grateful to be a part of the community of Olympia and honored to have been a part of this project. Thank you, Vega, Hummingbird and all of our sponsors.
Secondly, Vega was so open about the project, that it didn't feel like there was any kind of requirement. They would show us what was sketched out and talk it through collaboratively and then let us go free. I honestly feel like this method alone fights so many cruel standards and history about the art world and moves it toward the future of 'art belonging to everyone'. (I am not sure about the last sentence- I am trying to say that there is injustice racially, financially and gender bias in art that is rarely considered unless you study it or take time to notice it. So I'm open to feedback.)
Lastly, the way Vega led; believing first in every single person who put paint on a wall, while providing encouragement and support was a true blessing I have never felt when I was studying art. It was not gate kept, pretentious or analytical. It was accessible, approachable and accepting. I didn't think I could paint ferns on a wall and I did! I also didn't think I could get on a ladder because I am afraid of heights and I did! I saw so many come through thinking they couldn't do something and they left commenting similarly that they did it!