Community-building sits at the heart of our practice. Besides creating solo murals, we also work with an inclusive community format that allows people to paint the artwork alongside us—regardless of age or skill level—while still achieving professional results. Through this process, art becomes an agent for peaceful, dynamic community building.
Collaboration connects people to public artwork in a lasting way, but more importantly, it connects us to one another within a safe, intentional space. In many ways, the process creates a kind of mental real estate comparable to ownership; a public space becomes "our space—the place where we created something beautiful together."
If you are part of a city, organization, school, neighborhood, or company interested in bringing people together through art, we would love to help design a community painting experience for your space.
How it works:
The artwork is fully designed in advance and broken into clearly mapped sections, each tied to a specific color. Participants — regardless of age or skill level — are invited to paint their section. A numbered paint-by-number system guides every brushstroke, and a series of failsafes ensure that anything painted outside the lines is easily corrected. The result is indistinguishable from a solo mural.
Frequently asked questions:
How many people can paint at once?
As many as the wall allows. Projects have ranged from 35 employees in a conference room to 500 members of the public painting over a single weekend.
As many as the wall allows. Projects have ranged from 35 employees in a conference room to 500 members of the public painting over a single weekend.
What if someone paints outside the lines?
It happens, and it's never a problem. The system is designed with general participation in mind — every area is surveyed and touched up after the event. We encourage people to have fun and not worry about mistakes.
It happens, and it's never a problem. The system is designed with general participation in mind — every area is surveyed and touched up after the event. We encourage people to have fun and not worry about mistakes.
Does the quality suffer compared to a solo mural?
The community areas are indistinguishable from any other portion of the mural. The design can be as complex as needed and still be accessible to an eager two-year-old with a brush.
The community areas are indistinguishable from any other portion of the mural. The design can be as complex as needed and still be accessible to an eager two-year-old with a brush.
How long does a community mural last?
The same as any of our solo murals. We use top-of-the-line acrylic paint with a special polymer for longevity, isolation layers to protect the wall, and a UV-resistant anti-graffiti topcoat to keep colors vibrant for years.
The same as any of our solo murals. We use top-of-the-line acrylic paint with a special polymer for longevity, isolation layers to protect the wall, and a UV-resistant anti-graffiti topcoat to keep colors vibrant for years.
Does it take longer than a solo mural?
Slightly — typically an extra day or two for surveying and touch-ups before sealing. The tradeoff is a finished artwork that belongs to everyone who helped create it.
Slightly — typically an extra day or two for surveying and touch-ups before sealing. The tradeoff is a finished artwork that belongs to everyone who helped create it.
Who is this for?
Cities, municipalities, arts councils, schools, neighborhoods, companies, and anyone interested in using art as a tool for genuine community building. Available nationwide.
Cities, municipalities, arts councils, schools, neighborhoods, companies, and anyone interested in using art as a tool for genuine community building. Available nationwide.
Anon’s community project at the CANVAS Gala... was a powerful message of synergy for both the artist and the viewer as we were no longer isolated into one category or the other... He bridged the gap between the viewer and the creator by welcoming all individuals and encouraging them to share in a profound experience of collectively creating something beautiful... As an artist, it made me realize and question my own distorted notions of an “us” and “them” mentality as we all shared in this powerful movement.
—Jessica Dadiomoff
fine artist (jesiccadadiomoff.com)
fine artist (jesiccadadiomoff.com)
About a week prior I was diagnosed with cancer and it was weighing heavy on my mind to the point that I couldn’t focus on anything. I’d only planned to paint one section... as I was about to exit the building I went back and asked to paint again. Why? Not sure. I just know that I was at peace for the few minutes that I was actually able to focus while I painted. When I left the building that day I was in a different place mentally.
—Joe
Bee Access Products
Bee Access Products
We are all still "in a glow" about Message in a Bottle, the Community Paint event and having spent time with Samantha, Sagan, you and Frank. You all are amazing people and you have left an indelible mark on the community. My heartfelt gratitude to you all. This project exceeded my highest expectations. Thank you, not only for an amazing project but, for such a meaningful connection.
—Suzanne Janssen
City of Loveland Public Art Manager
City of Loveland Public Art Manager
Want to create community together?
For more images, follow @art_of_anon and @the_anon_project on Instagram
