Love Thy Neighbor: Putting Art of Inclusion Back in the Streets
Featured image: Founder Michelle Sasha, left, and artist Jazzy Erickson are helping to lead the Love Thy Neighbor Project.
While street murals highlighting diversity and inclusion have been removed from the roadways around the region, those who still believe in that sentiment are finding new ways to express it. From flags to art to hand-painted signs in windows, neighbors are showing that love and tolerance still have a public face in our city. And at least one artist-driven movement, Love Thy Neighbor Project, is working to bring murals of empowerment and diversity to homes across Pinellas County.
Driveways, mailboxes, and doorsteps are being altered to host murals designed to, according to the project’s website, “celebrate inclusivity and honor marginalized communities.” The project’s motto is, “You are seen. You matter. You belong here.” The site is also careful to note that this is “not about politics or division. It’s about leading with love – using art as a bridge to create understanding, compassion, and community.”
The group behind this, ArtFluent, has gathered donations, supplies, locations, and artists to do this work. Michelle Sasha, founder of the organization, is an advocate for “free, uplifting art for everyone to enjoy.” She has organized projects and made mini-mural installations in Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and Safety Harbor. The St. Petersburg project began in late September.
“When everything started there were new phone calls for days!” said Sasha. “I also went to meetings organized by the city to see what we can do to preserve these images of inclusivity. With this project I have been pushed to the forefront of understanding how many different sides of the spectrum there are. Yet, I think above all, St. Pete is a place that people count on to be a safe place. It is known as an eclectic place to be who you are. It’s known for embracing people in the arts and people who can present differently overall. As an artist, I’m not always part of the status quo and it’s great to be in an area that embraces differences.”
Sasha says that responses to the project have been “a lot of beautiful, ugly, and the in between.” But negative reactions don’t stop her. Sasha says she believes “everyone is entitled to their own opinion to things, but I think leading with humanity and compassion is the way that I have chosen to do things.”
In other words, we may not all agree, but we can all respect each other, says Sasha.
“Humanity comes in all forms, and I stand by accepting good humans as they are, respecting their personal preferences and embracing our differences. These vibrant designs serve as symbols of love, unity, and belonging,” she adds.
There are a variety of themes available to participants, including progress Pride flags, Black Lives Matter, Disability Pride, Trans Pride flags, End Racism, and Women’s Empowerment.
One of the muralists with boots on the ground is Jazzy Erickson, a three-year resident of the ‘Burg and an acrylic artist.
“When I saw the post on Facebook about this project, they had just started to tear out the street murals. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of it. I signed up to volunteer,” says Erickson. “It was perfect timing when Michelle called me up to start.”
She says she’s been gratified by the results. “I feel that people are my connectors and my cup is overflowing with goodness to get to do this!” Erickson sees “so many recurring themes for progressive pride flags, BLM, all parts of the marginalized parts of our community.”
Erickson squeezes mural painting in between morning and evening jobs, often working in the afternoon at various locations. It’s important to her because she thinks the project “shows how diverse and beautiful our community is, and that we all stand together with love and support.”
The project is open to other symbols that represent diversity. Suggestions for mural designs by participating locations are welcome, as the artists want the community’s voice to be heard.
“In part of the sign up I have a suggestion element,” says Erickson. “I want to make sure that every marginalized group is represented. I set the form to not only do sign-ups, but to teach me about those who respond. If there is a group that you belong to that is underappreciated and underrepresented, I want to learn about it. I’ve left the suggestion element open so that everyone has a voice.”
Thanks to community donations, the paintings are done for free.
“Donations covered my own painting kit, all the colors, new brushes, and paint. It’s amazing!” Erickson explains. “Even people who donate directly to me as an artist help me to afford groceries, and I can do more murals and even paint more on my own.”
Says founder Sasha, “My goal is to execute as many of these murals as possible. I want to unite and flood our communities with love and compassion, to lead with love. I hope this can start a trend to other artists in other communities in the state who are compelled to spread this same message through art.”
The world, Sasha says, is a divided place. “This project is a way to remember to love each other. The only way that we don’t get divided is to get back to caring for each other. Our power is in how we treat each other.”
Donations, artists, and mini-mural location participants are all welcome. Learn more at artfluentcreatives.com/love-thy-neighbor-project
Making the Mermaid Mural
I saw a short video on the Love Thy Neighbor Project on TikTok. It immediately piqued my interest, and I did an internet search to find out more.
As part of my background, I am also an academic. I have studied human expression and culture for my entire adult life. I am a Trekker, a fan of the classic series, and grew up with Gene Roddenberry’s utopian ideals of a united world. When I saw the list of suggestions, two caught my attention: women’s rights and an end to discrimination.
Within a few weeks, I received an email saying that I was on the list and would be contacted soon. A couple of weeks after that, a delightful artist named Jazzy reached out to schedule a mural painting appointment. We had a colorful series of text messages in which I shared with her my own art, particularly the large mermaid sculpture in my yard that I built over a decade and which has been shown in a multitude of places, from the Dalí to Florida CraftArt. I sent photos of my Mermaid Queen and my mailbox area. We scheduled a day and time for her to come over and do the project.
When Jazzy sent the mockup, I was thrilled. It featured a brightly colored mermaid’s tail (“representing feminist colors,” she later told me), a phrase empowering women, and some beautiful waves. Once the design was approved, she said that she could change any details on it up until the paint was on the wall. If I had any ideas, just let her know.
I had one: My home is unofficially called “Mermaid and Pug Point” because of my sculpture and my housemates, a grumble of pugs. Pugs always represent home to me. I asked if we could add a pug face to one of the scales. She was happy to do so.
The result of the project is phenomenal. My house feels more powerful now that it hosts a mural. The verbiage, imagery, and whimsical nature align so well with my own. It is an amalgamation of so many things: a positive statement for women, an artistic expression, and the sentiments of both artist and homeowner in one.
