Elevate Grant Mural Series
Art. Healing. Community.
In 2024, Forty4 Design was awarded the Elevate Grant from the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division to create a series of public murals centered on mental health awareness, cultural identity, and community healing.
This page documents the journey, the partnerships, and the murals that now live across our city.
About The Elevate Grant
The Elevate Grant supports cultural work that uplifts historically underrepresented communities in Austin.
Our proposed project focused on creating a series of community-centered murals placed in high-visibility areas serving Hispanic/Latino and underrepresented neighborhoods.
The mission was simple but powerful:
Use public art as a tool for healing
Increase visibility of mental health conversations
Create moments of belonging in public space
Provide accessible resources through local partnerships
Project Overview
Through community activations, live painting events, and collaborative partnerships, this series became more than murals – it became a movement.
This campaign was built on three pillars:
Visibility
Mental health deserves to be seen publicly, not hidden privately.
Representation
Our communities deserve to see themselves reflected in positive, affirming messages.
Access
Art can open the door, but resources create impact. Each mural connects viewers to local mental health organizations and support systems.
You Don't Have To Carry It Alone
If you’re reading this and something in these murals hits close to home — that’s the point. This work exists to remind you that support is real, and it’s local.
Explore mental health resources through our partners below, or share this page with someone who needs a reminder today.
This project would not exist without the organizations working daily to support mental wellness in our communities.
Community Partners
Contigo Wellness
Contigo Wellness provides culturally competent mental health services with a focus on accessibility and equity. Their work ensures that communities of color receive the care, dignity, and support they deserve.
Visit: https://contigowf.org/
M.A.S. Cultura
M.A.S. Cultura bridges culture, community, and advocacy — uplifting Latinx voices through programming and engagement. Their commitment to representation aligns deeply with this mural campaign.
Visit: https://www.mascultura.org/
Hi, How Are You Project
The Hi, How Are You Project continues the legacy of Daniel Johnston by promoting open conversations around mental health through creativity and community connection. Their work reminds us that asking “How are you?” can save lives.
Visit: https://www.hihowareyou.org/
The Murals
Each mural carries its own story — rooted in mental health, identity, and belonging.
Love Where You Live
Location: Downtown Hutto
Theme: Community Pride & Connection
Created during “Community Connections,” a city-wide gathering hosted by the City of Hutto, this mural invited the public to grab a brush and become part of something bigger. This wasn’t just a mural, it was community participation.
Now living permanently in downtown Hutto, it stands as a reminder that loving where you live starts with caring for the people around you. When communities feel connected, mental health strengthens.
Impressions
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Estamos Unidos
Theme: Unity During Division
“Estamos Unidos.”
We are united.
Created during a time of heightened cultural tension and national division, this mural speaks directly to the emotional weight communities carry. When identity becomes politicized, mental health feels it first.
This piece honors resilience, culture, and collective strength — reminding us that unity is not about perfection. It’s about presence.
Nuestra fuerza siempre ha estado en la unión.
Seguimos juntos. Estamos unidos.
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You Matter Here
Location: East Austin
Theme: Belonging & Worth
“YOU MATTER HERE.”
Three simple words, yet life-changing when heard at the right moment.
This mural was created as a daily reminder for anyone walking by that their existence has value. In a neighborhood built on culture and resilience, this piece gives something back to the people who move through it every day.
If one person pauses, breathes, and feels less alone, then it has done its job. You matter here. Siempre.
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The Impact Beyond the Wall
Public art creates visibility. But impact happens when awareness meets access.
This project exists to normalize conversation, remove stigma, and ensure that healing is not a luxury, but a shared right.
This Is Just the Beginning
This Elevate Grant mural series marks an important chapter for Forty4 Design and for our community. Art has the power to transform public space. But more importantly, it has the power to transform how we see ourselves and each other.
Thank you to the City of Austin, our partners, and everyone who left their mark.
We’re just getting started.
Want to partner on a future mural or community activation?
Let’s build something that heals, together.
Partner with Forty4 Design for your next mural activation
Bring a mural to your neighborhood or organization
Support this work through sponsorship or collaboration