Murals with Meaning
To help promote mental health awareness, coordinate mental services for those in need in Northeast Florida, along with enhancing our community, we’ve created our Murals with Meaning program.
Providing a symbolic visual nod to mental health awareness in the community, we hope these murals will help those impacted by mental illness and share valuable resources that will save lives. Mural art is an easy way to slow down and appreciate your surroundings, even providing a sense of calmness and happiness elicited from images.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp / Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville
Design: Ryan Janes | Artist: David Nackashi | Location: Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville [Map]
The first Mural with a Meaning was completed in May 2021 at the 121 Financial Ballpark, home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball team. Designed to bring the entire community of Jacksonville together, this mural includes a QR code that when scanned can connect people to resources on mental health. This mural represents the launch of a broader city-wide campaign to raise awareness of mental health.
River City Science Academy Middle High Campus at Beach Blvd.
Design: Suzanne Janes | Artist: David Nackashi | Location: River City Science Academy Middle High Campus at Beach Blvd. [Map]
Our second mural is based at the River City Science Academy Middle High Campus on Beach Blvd. Completed in spring 2022, this mural discusses the impact and importance of positive words. The mural showcases dragonflies made of handprints flying around the world. This is the first mural at a River City Science Academy location, with more to come.
River City Science Academy Intracoastal (K-8) Charter School
Artist: David Nackashi | Location: River City Science Academy Intracoastal (K-8) Charter School [Map]
Our third mural is located at the River City Science Academy Intracoastal (K-8) Charter School. As Hearts 4 Minds has a close educational relationship with RCSA, it was a natural choice to add another mural at one of their locations. The topic of this mural is “the power to change in the palm of your hand.” Featuring a dragonfly made up of handprints, the goal is to encourage students to reach out and change the world, one mind at a time. It’s with their help that we’ll alter the stigma of mental health.
Avondale Mural “Generations”
Artist: Corey Kreisel, Ramses Allen, Emma Flare and Hanna Hadzic | Location: Avondale neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
When we create a mural, we want it to accurately represent the community it’s located it. We want it to feel like an average day living there. For our fourth mural, located in Avondale and revealed during the Christmas in Avondale event, it was important we showcased the timelessness of the community. Titled “Generations,” it honors the numerous generations that have called Avondale home. Featuring one of Jacksonville’s beautiful oak trees, visitors can see children climbing on the tree. These children are timeless, representing the past, present, and future generations. Hearts 4 Minds was honored to work with Ron Rothberg from Art Bikes Jax, as well as artists Corey Kreisel, Ramses Allen, Emma Flare and Hanna Hadzic on this masterpiece.
Inspire to Rise “Hope, Healing and Change”
Artist: | Location: Inspire to Rise Community Center in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Inspire to Rise Community Center, Heart 4 Minds is unveiling its newest mural. The 440-square foot collaborative piece incorporates dragonflies, the Hearts 4 Minds symbol of courage, strength and change, which are a key element to any mural they sponsor. The mandala featured in the mural is a symbol used by Inspire to Rise and typically used as a tool or symbol of healing. Its organic and colorful design was a collaboration between Hearts 4 Minds, Inspire to Rise and artists from Heartspace Art with the goal of representing the organizations and their missions while conveying a sense of hope to the community.
River City Science Academy Intracoastal Campus
Artist: Mary Joan | Location: River City Science Academy Intracoastal Campus in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
This mural was completed after a teacher workshop at the River City Science Academy Intracoastal Campus. Located in the stairwell of the school, the mural combines the school’s character words and astronaut mascot with Hearts 4 Minds’ dragonflies. The goal was to constantly remind the students to both live their lives in accordance to the character words, and change the world around them, one person at a time.
River City Science Academy Playground Mural
Artist: Mary Joan Hinson | Location: River City Science Academy Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
In collaboration with River City Science Academy Elementary, the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program, and the City of Jacksonville, this playground mural is designed to promote healthy bodies and healthy minds. We hope this mural will help destigmatize mental health and promote mental health literacy in the community, all while creating a vibrant healthy environment where kids can be kids.
Springfield “Playscape” and “Shadow of the Sun”
Artist: Ramses Allen and Corey Kreisel | Location: Springfield neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
Unveiled at a very special Music On Main, Springfield’s newest mural is located on an adjacent building to Sesquicentennial Park at Main and Fifth Streets. A double mural, it continues our goal of destigmatizing mental illness, promoting mental health literacy and connecting people to resources all while beautifying our city. We hope those visiting this mural find the strength to change and thrive. A huge thank you to Evan Metz, one of the owners of the building the mural is located on, for allowing us to spread our message of hope.
#BeTheFocus San Marco Mural
Artist: David Nackashi | Location: Bank of America - San Marco in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
Unveiled at our “Be The Focus” Birthday Party, this mural is located on the wall of the Bank of America San Marco. The work of local artist David Nackashi, “Be the Focus” features dragonfly wings and is a special piece that commemorates and honors Alex, who would have turned 29 the day it was unveiled. The design invites people to take photos and enjoy the mural from every angle in the San Marco square.
Kava & Company San Marco Mural
Artist: Heartspace Art | Location: Kava & Company - San Marco in Jacksonville, Florida [Map]
Located on the wall of Kava & Company, San Marco, this mural is a collaboration between Hearts 4 Minds, Kava & Company and artists from Heartspace Art. The new mural’s design incorporates both the kava plant and the dragonfly, the Hearts 4 Minds symbol of courage, strength and change. It blends the Kava & Company vibe and Hearts 4 Minds mission, creating a welcoming environment where people can experience positivity and lead healthy lives.
