PHOENIX — A mural created to spread kindness and positivity and to represent Valley diversity was vandalized this week.
And while the artists still don’t know who did it, the community quickly rallied to restore it.
On the corner of 39th and Missouri Avenues in Phoenix, Valley art teacher Candace Greene and artist Lalo Cota brought kids and families together a couple of years ago to create a mural in the Sevilla West community. It’s just one of the walls they have painted.
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“In the morning and after school, this is the wall that the kids walk past every day,” said Greene. “It’s a great reminder on their way to school to show kindness.”
Their group, called the Beautify the Valley Squad, created the artwork to spread a message of kindness and represent the different cultures in the community.
“It brings joy to the community,” Greene said.
But recently they got some horrible news – someone vandalized the wall.
“I don’t understand those type of people,” said Katelynn Coleman, one of the original artists. “I don’t see a reason to ruin people’s art.”
“It made me upset,” said Greene. “It really breaks my heart."
But the community came together once again to put the mural back the way it was.
“…to clean up the wall, because some bad people put brown on it,” said Emiliano Carbajal, one of many who showed up early to help.
“Sad about it,” he said. “…because it’s rude, because it says kindness.”
And after about an hour cleaning the wall, they were relieved.
“Good,” said Carbajal.
They’re not letting whoever vandalized the mural get the best of them.
“It looks so much better,” said Coleman. “I’m just glad that we don’t leave it there.”
Turns out, this is just the beginning for the Beautify the Valley Squad.
“Some of the squad members will be going on a trip next summer to France and Italy, so that’s really exciting that we’re able to take our squad abroad and paint a mural overseas when we’re there,” said Greene.
Greene has a message to those who vandalized the wall.
“Positivity and kindness will always overcome hate,” she said.
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