Donation Mural for Title 1 School

Client: Garfield Elementary
Location: North Park Neighborhood, San Diego
December 2024

While there is something special about every mural we do at Pandr, there is something especially magical about installing a mural in a place where young kids get to experience it every day. The world has been a little… cuckoo recently, so in an effort to shine some positive light and give back during the holiday season, we reached out to Garfield Elementary, a local (to Pandr) Title 1 school in San Diego, and asked if we could donate a mural. They were thrilled and the whole experience brought so much joy to us all!

From the beginning, we worked in close collaboration with the PTO and principal of the school. The principal chose the words “joy,” “belonging” and “kindness,” and then I got to work designing a graphic that would bring those words to life and resonate with the entire Garfield Elementary community. Once we picked up the paint (generously donated by Sherwin-Williams), and began installing the agreed upon design, that is when the magic really started to happen.

One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was the reaction from the students. Each day after school, as I worked on the mural, kids would stop and watch in awe. Their enthusiasm was contagious! I’d hear exclamations like “Wowww, that’s so realistic!” and “I can’t believe she’s painting the building!” Moments like these reminded me why I love what I do—art has the power to spark curiosity, creativity, and joy. At risk of being completely cheesy, the spirit of the holidays were truly decking the halls.

Hearing such positive feedback from the PTO was the cherry on top:

“Phoebe with Pandr Design is a joy to work with. She is organized, a great communicator and extremely talented. There’s nothing more I could ask for in a muralist. Her craftsmanship, creative vision and work ethic is impeccable and stunning. From the beginning design stages to implementation, I was blown away. I’m an interior designer and am stoked to have found her. Any future murals that may come my way in my line of work, she’s my gal. I can’t recommend this company enough. Phoebe will not disappoint!"

This project was more than just painting a wall—it was about building a connection with the students and the school community, and spreading holiday cheer. Seeing the student and faculty’s excitement and knowing that this mural will brighten their days for years to come is why Pandr loves donating murals whenever we can, and a feeling I will cherish forever.

Are you interested in donating a mural in your community, but not sure where to start? Check out my blog post on how to donate a mural, while benefitting your business, too.