The Sunflower Mural Unveiling in Murray Hill occurred earlier this afternoon.
The mural is an artistic collaboration between local artists, Brenda Kato and Mary Allegretti. This is the ninth mural to be completed as part of the Murray Hill Preservation Association’s mural project.
The mural is on the east facing wall of the J&W Discounts building, next door to Edgewood Diner. It shares the wall with a Jellyfish mural painted by Meredith Sullivan titled Jellies..
Mary had posted earlier on her facebook page “Finally finished. Come see my first and last mural collaboration completed in the Florida summer heat”
And who could blame her. The mural is a wonderful work of art but 25 feet of sunflowers in the scorching Florida summer heat is not an easy achievement.
There was a lively group in attendance for the unveiling and sunflower cupcakes were enjoyed by all.
Antonio Allegretti, Executive Director at the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, was on hand and jokingly said, we may have to change the name from Murray Hill to Mural Hill.
Brenda has named the mural “Bloom Where You Are Planted” as a reminder to think positively and give back to your community. “My sunflower paintings have become very popular because they are a lot of fun. They make people smile and have energy vortex spirals in the middle. I recently illustrated a children’s book “I’m A Secret Superhero,” by Marla McKenna and added these similar sunflowers because the book is about the power of positive thinking. The superhero grows a big field of sunflowers. I have always loved the huge, dramatic flower,” said Brenda Kato*.
Brenda invited her friends and family to help her paint the mural which took about two months. “I have a very demanding day job so it took many nights and weekends. I was thrilled when Mary Allegretti expressed interest in blinging up the mural with her glass art. Mary is an extremely talented and well known artist. I am placing a plaque next to the mural with the photos and names of all the people who helped me complete this project. We’ve helped make history, and I hope they will be proud of this mural for years to come,” Brenda stated*.
Follow Brenda’s art.
*As quoted from the Kato Creative website.