In 40 degree weather on the morning of Friday, Jan. 17, local muralist Audifax joined Art House 360 co-founders outside the former schoolhouse on West Verona Avenue to watch the installation of the nonprofit’s biggest mural to date.
One of the few limitations Art House 360 received for leasing a historic city-owned building is to not apply paint directly on the bricks themselves. As a result, 12 individual 8-foot by 4-foot aluminum composite panels were installed one by one to reveal the final piece.
Titled “Imagination,” Audifax described this mural as her most intricate piece of art to date. She spray painted the design over two months in a rented warehouse due to its size.
Art House 360 co-founder Monica Cliff said she was impressed by Audifax’s original sketches, but was completely blown away by the final product.
“The colors are so well harmonized… it’s almost like it belongs there,” she told the Press. “It’s beautiful.”
The expansive mural showcases lilies encircling a female face with her eyes closed. The only instructions given to Audifax were to create art that aligns with Art House 360’s values.
From left, Art House 360 co-founders Jessica Lanius and Karisa Johnson, muralist Audifax, and Art House 360 co-founders Monica Cliff and AJ Juarez.
“(Audifax) said lilies are sacred in many cultures… she wanted to represent the sacred nature of art and the creative process in human beings,” Cliff said.
Cliff hopes community members feel both inspired and amazed by the new mural, its bright blue, gold and pink shades clearly visible from the neighboring Century School Park.
“Part of the arts is to just stop you in your tracks – you are in your daily life doing something and then all of a sudden you see something beautiful that sparks curiosity,” Cliff said.
Art House 360 now has six completed murals inside and outside the building, with one underway in the future Community Room by Cliff herself. Each piece of art offers a glimpse of a local artist who helped make Art House 360 so colorful.
While the goal remains for the nonprofit to open its doors in the spring for events and classes, there is no definitive date set quite yet. Their mission to bridge the gap between community and art, however, began long ago.
“We want people to feel like art is accessible – it’s not a luxury that’s out of reach. You can enjoy and be a part of it,” Cliff said.