FRIENDSHIP WALL PROJECT
A Community Canvas at the 2025 City of Mural Community Festival
We welcome mural artists from near and far to leave a creative mark in Bay City through the Friendship Wall—a collaborative public art space celebrating unity, creativity, and expression.
This wall is a collective effort between United We Go and the City of Bay City Parks Department, designed to encourage muralists, graffiti artists, and creatives of all styles to contribute to something meaningful and inclusive.
🎨 Friendship Wall Painting Guidelines
A Community Canvas at the 2025 City of Mural Community Festival
We welcome mural artists from near and far to leave a creative mark in Bay City through the Friendship Wall—a collaborative public art space celebrating unity, creativity, and expression.
This wall is a collective effort between United We Go and the City of Bay City Parks Department, designed to encourage muralists, graffiti artists, and creatives of all styles to contribute to something meaningful and inclusive.
📝 To Participate:
All artists must complete a mural painting request form for approval before painting.
We are asking the mural size is no bigger than 10ft by 10ft, so we can leave enough space for other artists to leave their mural work on the Friendship Wall.
Please include the following:
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A brief description of your proposed mural design
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A short artist bio (to credit you on our website and social media)
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An upload of your sketch or design file
🎨 Important Notes:
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This is a non-compensated project.
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Artists are responsible for providing their own paint, brushes, ladders, and all necessary materials to complete their mural.
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You are also responsible for your own safety while painting. Please use safe practices and proper protective equipment, especially when using ladders or working in outdoor environments.
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United We Go will provide access to the mural wall and promotional support through our digital platforms.
🚫 Content Guidelines – What Not to Include:
To ensure a safe and inclusive space for all, we do not allow:
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Political content or campaign-related messages
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Profanity or explicit language
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Nudity or sexually explicit visuals
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Hate speech or discriminatory messages
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Dark, violent, or disturbing imagery
We encourage art that reflects joy, resilience, imagination, diversity, and harmony.
🎉 Let your creativity shine while respecting the spirit of the wall and the community it represents.
If you have questions or need help submitting your request, contact us at info@unitedwego.org.
Friendship wall on Focus on 5
Heartlinked By Mark
Date Installed: 8/23/2025
What inspired you to leave your artwork on our Friendship Wall?
I was inspired by the opportunity to have on of my murals based upon a symbol that I use a lot in my Art, the heart. The United We Go! Mural fest is a fantastic addition to our city and the long tradition of vibrant public Art. I wanted to be a part of the festival and was honored to have been selected.
What message or feeling do you hope to share through this piece?
This series of works are titled Heartlinked. The threads of connection between families, friends, all tie into a larger community where together, we are stronger. The hearts are individual but intertwined to display that we are not alone in this journey. The stripes of color indicate the multiple paths our choices and decisions lead us on every day, week, and year. The connective energy is always flowing around, in, and through us.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Artist, Active, Curious
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our Bay City community?
Thank you Bay City and the Greater Lakes Bay Region for the incredible support of Public Art!
Princess Wenonah
Princess Wenonah By Congo
Date installed: 8/25/2025
Artist intro:
Meltdown by Amanda S.
Date Installed: 9/6/2025
Artist Intro: Amanda has been actively engaged in public art for the past 5 years, and loves creating art in the communities she is a part of as well as celebrating the communities who live in them. She likes to draw inspiration from the intricate patterns of the environment in her artwork and infuses elements of surrealism into depictions of wildlife and nature. By using vibrant colors and playful artistic styles, she creates art that is family and community friendly.
What inspired you to leave your artwork on our Friendship Wall?
I used to live in Michigan and I have friends in Bay City, so this place holds special meaning for me. It felt important to contribute something heartfelt to this community. The idea of a “Friendship Wall” felt like the perfect opportunity to leave something that celebrates connection, belonging, and beauty.
What message or feeling do you hope to share through this piece?
I wanted people to stop and feel something—maybe wonder why the flowers are melting, or what that says about how we hold on to beauty. The melting flowers are a reminder that even as things shift or fade, there’s still beauty in the process. It’s about appreciating the present and embracing the imperfect. It’s not meant to have just one meaning, but I hope it sparks thought or emotion in whoever sees it.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Creative, thoughtful, free-spirited.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our Bay City community?
Thank you for making space for artists and for valuing creativity in your community. I’m grateful to be a small part of that. Keep supporting the arts—because when creativity is celebrated, everyone feels more at home.
Highlight of City of Mural Community Festival
