Celebrating Art & Community: Winners of 'Mini Murals at the Mall' Competition

Quad City Arts, in partnership with Macerich NorthPark & Macerich SouthPark Malls, proudly announces the talented winners of the first 'Mini Murals at the Mall' competitions, held at NorthPark and SouthPark Malls on January 27-28 and February 17-18, respectively. These events not only showcased local artistic talent but also fostered community engagement and creativity.
 
NorthPark Mall Winners:

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​1st Place: Mya Diabira—‘Untitled’
2nd Place: Kyleigh Green—‘Community Colors’
3rd Place: Amanda Stout—‘Synchronized Currents’
 
SouthPark Mall Winners:

1st Place: Jae Corales—‘The Indomitable Spirit: Urduja of Pangasinan’
2nd Place: Laila Colleen Haley—‘Princess & the Pirate (& the Giant Sea Monster)’
3rd Place: Laura Warner—‘Two States of Sunshine’
 
During these vibrant events, artists commenced their creations at 10 am on Saturday and worked until 5 pm on Sunday, transforming 3’ x 4’ canvases into captivating murals. Participants were provided with acrylic paint and brushes. Winners were determined through online People’s Choice voting via the Quad City Arts Facebook page, providing accessibility and the power of community involvement. The outpouring of support and engagement was astronomical!
 
Reflecting on the experience, Mya Diabira, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to public art: "An art pieces' story that often remains hidden to the viewer is the process of building it. This community interactive event unveiled creation in the making. Everyone walks around with their own inner world. I'm thankful North Park mall allowed the diverse inner imagination that lives among others to be shared."
 
Jae Corales, the winner of the SouthPark competition and a student at Western Illinois University, embraced the communal aspect of the event: "This was my first time painting a mural in a public place. It was challenging and I was so nervous the whole time. People sometimes stop by to ask questions about my piece and someone asked for advice to give their granddaughter who was 8, wondering how they can improve. I believe the only way to improve is to love what you’re doing. One can practice everyday for 10,000 hours but if they don’t enjoy their craft, they won’t reach their potential." Corales further highlighted the significance of infusing his Filipino heritage into his art, exemplifying Quad City Arts' commitment to celebrating diverse cultural narratives through artistic expression.
 
The participating artists at NorthPark Mall included Catlynn Byrd, Dana Cabrera, Jesse Coughlin, Mya Diabira, Kyleigh Green, Reagan Harrington, Jessica Jenkins-McPeek, Snehal Nerpagar, Edward Nunn, Carlin Peterson, Sophia Putnam, Amanda Stout, and Megan Wassom. At SouthPark Mall, the competitors included Jae Florence Corales, Nelly Cortez, Laila Colleen Haley, Payton Hayward, Lauren Lamourt, Emma Reidhead, Caleb Roe, Dannielle Torres, Laura Warner, Joshua Whitaker, and Isaiah ‘Zay’ Williams.

Quad City Arts envisions a future where the creation and celebration of art are woven into the fabric of our community. Events like the 'Mini Murals at the Mall' competition not only showcase the incredible talent of local artists but also foster a sense of belonging and cultural enrichment for residents and visitors alike. By providing platforms for artistic expression and engagement, we hope to inspire the emergence of more events that celebrate creativity and promote the vital role of the arts in enhancing our collective well-being. Thanks to Macerich, NorthPark and SouthPark Malls, who helped support our vibrant and inclusive arts community which enriches the lives of all who call the Quad Cities home.
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View the social media posts below to see all the entries for SouthPark Mall and NorthPark Mall!

For more information about Quad City Arts and upcoming events, visit www.quadcityarts.com.