Willow Trails Mural Story

This spring, I was approached to create a mural for the youth at the Willow Trails Group Home. It proved to be a growing experience for everyone, as we explored an adventurous co-creating atmosphere!  

Willow Trails Group Home (Ages 12-18) is a program that offers a safe, supervised setting and fosters personal growth on many levels. Working side by side with our youth in character growth, emotional healing, and social maturity while confronting the core issues that resulted in their placement. Effective and positive behavior techniques are incorporated to promote healing in addition to addressing underlying trauma and mental health needs. Willow Trails Group Home is a place where struggling teenage girls can call home.

Here is my explanation along with photos to show the process and progression:

I went to the home to visit with the youth about what was important to them. They had many ideas and wanted a mural that meant something special.  The wall was 16 ft. long and 8 ft. high. Since the home is called Willow Trail that is on Marigold Lane, we used that image for a background, and moved into the symbols and words that are important to them.

The last additions were the metallic paint fingerprints of the youth and staff themselves. They symbolize the uniqueness of the residents, as each one has a fingerprint that no-one else has, and can leave an imprint on the world that no-one else can!

“It has been a wonderful learning experience to spend time with each of you, and I will always remember what you taught me! Thank You!” - Sheryl VanderPol