THE VISION
This mural is a reflection of Kerr County’s heart. Created through thousands of individual contributions, it tells a story of resilience, healing, and connection. Each tile represents a voice, a memory, and a moment of care, which come together to form a shared vision of hope and community strength.
THE PROCESS
The design elements were shaped through community listening sessions where we gathered, played music, and made art together while brainstorming ideas for the mural. These sessions highlighted both the beauty and history of Kerr County, with ideas ranging from small details like spiders, minnows, and grasses to larger elements like cypress trees, camps, and deer.
One of the things that stood out most was how deeply connected the community is to nature. Participants expressed a strong desire to include specific birds, fish, and native plants.
This reflected a beautiful shared appreciation that is rooted in the natural landscape of the region.
THE DESIGN TEAM & ELEMENTS
From there, a smaller design team was formed, including Weezy Johnston from The Hunt Preservation Society and Angela Kennedy from The Heart of the Hills Heritage Center. Together, we reviewed the ideas gathered during the listening sessions and used that input to guide the final design.
Key elements include cypress trees, the river, local camps, Schreiner University, and Crider’s Dance Hall, each reflecting important parts of Kerr County’s identity. We were also intentional about representing the diverse cultural history of the region. The Doyle Center is included to honor Black history and community, and the Tortilla Factory reflects the area’s Latino heritage. The design also acknowledges the Lipan Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa peoples who have been long connected to the land.
Throughout the mural, you’ll find a wide range of animals, plants, and natural details that reflect the richness of the local environment. Lastly, 121 mosaic birds are included as a symbolic tribute to the lives lost and those still missing, offering a space for remembrance within the larger story of the community.
Lead Teacher Jonna Davis creating small Cypress trees representing new growth and renewal.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
To bring the mural to life, we partnered with Joyce Rosner from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. Joyce is a Distinguished Senior Lecturer who has taught design studios and visual communications since 1998.
Her work explores the intersection of art, architecture, and craft, with a focus on drawing as a tool for design.
Through this collaboration, Joyce helped translate the community’s ideas into a cohesive and meaningful design, honoring both the artistic vision and the stories shared throughout the process.
NEXT STEPS
As we continue hosting workshops, creating tiles, building the glass mosaic birds, and glazing, we are steadily bringing the mural together. In summer 2026, 10 lead teachers will gather at the Community Art Therapy studio to assemble the mural on panels for installation in October.
Two of our teachers are shown to the left, socializing at one of our Teacher Appreciation events.
