Over the past few weeks, The Mural Movement has created a mural for Pets in Need, a nonprofit, no-kill shelter in Palo Alto. Composed of 20 tiles each painted by an individual artist, the mural is 3 by 2 feet and will be put up next Friday.  

The Mural Movement, led by co-presidents senior Olivia Moon and sophomore Lillian Moon, creates artwork for places in need of it. The idea for the Pets in Need mural began when Olivia went to the shelter, and noticed an empty space on the wall — perfect for a mural.

“When people step into the space, I want them to feel welcomed and that they are in an environment where they are willing to adopt a pet,” Olivia said. “If we are able to provide some sort of artistic aspect, we think it would really help with kids and families meeting the pets and increasing overall adoption rates.”

25 club members are painting tiles, some individually and some together, each featuring a different pet from the shelter. With no creative restrictions, the mural will consist of a vast range of art styles and colors.

“Nina and I used markers instead of paint, and added details with white pen and Sharpie,” senior Alina Safina said. “I think the project really shows each and every single person as an artist.”

“This is a way for everyone to offer and give back what they can,” senior Nina Scholnik said.

Through painting murals, the club fosters a close sense of community and inclusion. Anyone can contribute, no matter their level of artistic ability. 

“I’ve never felt the fact that I don’t have the advanced technical skills others do hold me back or felt discouraged to participate,” Nina said.

“I just think the club and Olivia’s mission to make places more beautiful and let people contribute to that is really cool,” Alina said.

Find out more about the Mural Movement @muralmovement on Instagram. Meetings are held every other Wednesday in Room 913.