What began as an idea to brighten a dull wall grew into a neighborhood project where residents not only helped paint but also contributed to the design. In total, two murals were realized: one on the street side in Tweemontstraat and another in the inner courtyard on the side of Van Cortbeemdelei. The result is colorful murals that make neighborhood stories visible and foster greater connection among residents.
According to Jenny, the illustrator who guided the project, the strength of the initiative lay in the collaboration with the residents. "The ideas come from the people who live here. The execution is ultimately everyone's, because the ideas belong to everyone."
The mural originated during several resident sessions. Residents discussed their living environment, the courtyard, and its meaning to them with Jenny. These conversations formed the basis for the design. For instance, the idea to incorporate elements from Van Gogh's Starry Night came from a resident inspired by the artwork. Other details refer to personal stories. A swordfish, for example, recalls the father of a resident who was a fisherman. The colors were also chosen together. "Even while painting, new ideas emerged. When the wall was almost finished, someone said there weren't enough cats. So, extra cats were incorporated."
For Lena, livability officer at Woonhaven, the project was not a coincidence. The wall had long been a site of regular vandalism and illegal dumping. After colored panels were removed for safety reasons, a large grey concrete wall remained. "We were looking for a way to give people more involvement and ownership." Whether the mural will effectively reduce illegal dumping remains to be seen. However, according to Lena, the project has already had a positive impact. "Whether it works against illegal dumping or not, the residents certainly had some pleasant Wednesday afternoons, and there is now a beautiful work of art."
During the painting days, residents of various ages participated. Some were immediately enthusiastic, while others hesitated at first, but they often became involved. De Zonnebloemen, an activity center of De Vijver vzw, also made an enthusiastic contribution and was regularly present. "There were people who initially said, 'Leave me out of it,' and now they are painting along. It's contagious." Even casual passers-by sometimes joined in, stopping briefly to color a section before moving on.
For Jenny, this demonstrates the value of participatory art. "It's more than collaborating. It's truly creating together." The project not only brought residents together around a work of art but also helped them get to know each other better and discover each other's talents. As Lena summarizes: "Even if it doesn't achieve its primary goal, it has certainly brought many people together." And perhaps therein lies the project's greatest success: a more colorful neighborhood and a stronger sense of community.
