Color on the walls, spirit in the streets

NORWALK — Uptown Norwalk is getting brighter, bolder and more colorful as a new wave of murals transforms the city's streets into a living canvas. Mayor Dave Light said the projects have already created a buzz around town and beyond. "We now have four murals in uptown Norwalk, and they are all beautiful," Light said. "We have received a lot of positive comments from people traveling through our city as well as from our local citizens. I am looking forward to more." Local team behind the paint Among the artists leading the movement are Joshua Shaull and his wife, Julie, who run a small but growing mural operation in the city. "We just branched into murals at the beginning of July," Julie said. "Josh has been painting for over 30 years, mostly large-scale airbrush work. Once we did a project at the dance studio I teach at, it sparked a lot of interest — and we realized it needed to be more than a solo act." She said the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. "Murals bring creativity and community," Julie said. "They've become spots for portraits, family photos or just a reason for people to stop and gather. It's uplifting, and, right now, we need that." The Shaulls are also behind the new mural at the Norwalk Land Lab, created after the building was damaged by vandalism earlier this year. Their design not only covered the scarred walls but turned the space into a welcoming feature for visitors. Collaboration and creativity The couple describes their process as highly collaborative. Clients bring ideas or themes, and the Shaulls shape them into something unique. "For one project, the client only said they wanted something bright and colorful," Julie explained. "Josh tends to think inside the box, and I help push things further. Together, we make sure every design fits the person or the building and nothing looks the same." According to Light, permits are required for all exterior murals in Norwalk. Applications can be obtained at Norwalk City Hall or by emailing cityofnorwalk@norwalkoh.com.