“A Walk Through Belton”

Belton, MO

Underpass with colorful floral mural on the sides and a dark tunnel interior, with a surveillance camera mounted above entrance.
A person walking through a tunnel under a bridge, with foliage on the left and water on the right.

Before

Commissioned By: Belton Arts Council

Square Footage: 5,000

Completed: February 2025

A Walk Through Belton — Creating the City's First Community Mural

In November 2024, I began what would become one of the most ambitious (and coldest) mural projects I’ve ever taken on: A Walk Through Belton. This mural, now completed as of February 2025, is Belton, Missouri’s first official community mural—and it lives in a tunnel that connects residents to the heart of Wallace Park. That might sound charming, but let me tell you, painting in a tunnel during Midwest winter was brisk, to say the least.

When I was selected by the Belton Arts Council for the honor of creating this piece, I met with their team to understand exactly what they envisioned. The result was a beautiful blend of past, present, and personality—a visual story of Belton that celebrates its people, history, and character. From the town’s pirate mascot to the iconic water tower, the historic railway to the fluttering monarch butterflies that pass through during their migration, this mural is a tribute to all the things that make Belton unique. There’s even a respectful nod to the Air Force base that once stood in town, and to two historical figures who shaped the community.

The mural itself spans a jaw-dropping 5,000 square feet—both sides of the tunnel are 200 feet long, and yes, I even painted the ceiling. (And yes, my neck still remembers.)

During the early stages, I was joined by some incredibly talented students from the Longview Community College Art Club. Their energy and dedication helped jumpstart the project before the weather turned on us. When temperatures dropped too low for paint to stick (even with the help of space heaters), I had to make the tough call to pause. Between freezing temperatures and getting completely snowed out, the mural was temporarily shelved until February gave us just enough warmth to return.

Of course, I couldn’t have done it alone. My painting assistant and best friend, Laura King, was with me every step of the way. We sprayed the background together—often while dodging spiders and laughing our way through the creepy-crawly moments. Toward the end of the project, Tony Sanderford joined us. This was his first mural, and it ended up sparking a new chapter for him: he’s now my regular painting partner. Watching someone fall in love with mural-making reminded me why I love it so much myself.

And yes—my corgi puppy Eleanor makes another guest appearance. At this point, she’s basically my brand mascot.

What I’m especially proud of in A Walk Through Belton is the way the community is invited to interact with it. We designed three different areas within the mural specifically for photo ops and immersive experiences. People can literally walk into Belton’s story and become a part of it. That’s what public art should do.

Despite the delays and frosty fingers, I’m so proud of how this mural turned out. It took longer than expected, but I believe the extra time helped make the final result even stronger. This project wasn’t just about beautifying a tunnel—it was about giving Belton a piece of itself, reflected back in color.

To everyone who helped, cheered us on, or just stopped by to say hello—you’re part of this mural too. Thanks for walking through Belton with me.

Woman standing in front of a mural in progress, smiling, wearing a green shirt and paint-splattered shorts, with purple gloves, surrounded by painting supplies.
Group of people in a tunnel with colorful mural walls, wearing casual clothing and protective hats, some with painting supplies, likely painting or decorating the tunnel.
An assortment of paint containers in various colors on a white table with some labels visible, surrounded by colorful artwork and a wooden piece.
A young woman standing in front of a large mural of a butterfly. The mural depicts a butterfly with orange and black wings and a background of green and blue trees. The woman is smiling with arms outstretched, wearing a gray hoodie, black pants, and checkerboard slip-on shoes.
A young woman with blonde hair, wearing a colorful knitted hat, a grey hoodie, black leggings, and checkered slip-on shoes, is standing in front of a brightly colored mural of a dandelion on a turquoise wall. She is leaning forward with her mouth puckered as if blowing.
A woman smiling and holding on to a leash attached to a small dog, standing next to a colorful mural on a concrete wall. The mural features a paper airplane and a dashed flight path. It is raining, and the ground is wet and muddy.
Two smiling people, a woman and a man, stand close together under a colorful, floral mural on a wall, in front of a tunnel. The woman has blonde hair, is wearing a multicolored knit hat, a gray hoodie, and black pants. The man has a beard, is wearing a gray hoodie underneath a colorful, tie-dye jacket, and khaki shorts, with one arm around the woman and the other hand resting on his thigh.
Two people painting a tunnel wall with blue spray paint. One person in the foreground is wearing a hoodie, goggles, mask, gloves, and paint-splattered pants. The other person in the background is standing on a step stool, wearing gloves and a t-shirt, holding a roller. There is a ladder, a bucket, and supplies nearby.
A person dressed in a hoodie, goggles, a face mask, and blue gloves, standing in a tunnel or underpass with painted green walls. They are holding their gloved hands in a gesture, possibly a thumbs-up. There is a ladder and a workbench with tools nearby.
A person painting a mural on a ceiling, wearing a pink beanie and black jacket, holding a paintbrush, with blue sky and clouds depicted on the ceiling.
Colorful mural on a concrete wall depicting a landscape with green trees, a blue sky with clouds, and various abstract shapes and graffiti elements.
Colorful mural painting of a butterfly on a blue background on an urban wall.
Colorful mural painting on a wall featuring a cow, trees, clouds, a butterfly, and abstract shapes in a garden-like scene.
A colorful mural on a brick wall depicting a cow with a background of trees, birds, and a blue sky with clouds.
Colorful mural on a blue wall featuring a large cartoon-style tiger with a tennis ball floating in front of it, and a smaller cartoon character pointing towards the tiger.
Colorful mural of a pink and gray dog, with a rainbow background, trees, and a person with a dog on a leash.
A colorful mural of a family walking outdoors under pink flowering trees, with a pond and grassy hills in the background.
Colorful mural on a concrete wall in a tunnel showing a man in a green jacket and hat fishing with a man with pink hair and a yellow backpack.
Close-up of a brightly colored mural on a wall featuring abstract flowers with green, white, yellow, pink, and black outlines.
Colorful mural painting of various flowers on a wall outdoors, under a blue sky.
A colorful mural features a cartoon-style elderly man with glasses, reading a book while sitting on a pink park bench. The background includes stylized clouds and a landscape scene painted on a brick wall.
A colorful mural of a pirate ship with waves, a large letter 'B' on the sail, and a purple cannon, painted on a blue wooden wall.
Colorful mural on a concrete wall in a tunnel featuring paper airplanes flying, some with dashed lines trailing behind, against a bright turquoise background.
Colorful mural painting of a bridge, green hills, yellow flowers, and a bright sky on a concrete wall in an outdoor setting.
Colorful mural of a steam train on a concrete wall, with smoke and clouds painted above, and a sidewalk in the foreground.
Colorful mural of a tree with pink and green leaves painted on a blue wall in a tunnel, with a section of train tracks and a train visible in the background.