Love

Rainbow Road — Grand Rapids, Michigan

Rainbow Road transformed a downtown street into a large-scale expression of queer visibility, public identity and belonging. Originally painted in 2020, it remains one of the largest permanent Pride installations in the world. The roadway has since been repainted twice, demonstrating continued community support and the project’s longevity beyond its initial launch.

Each installation had to be completed within a one-week window. I managed a team of five assistants to execute the work efficiently while maintaining consistency across the full roadway. What began as a temporary intervention has become a recurring civic landmark.

CONVERGENCE

Full Steam Ahead — Indio, California

Two distinctive artistic styles brought together as one. Created in collaboration with artist Ivan Montoya, the mural transformed a previously neglected underpass into a vibrant public destination—introducing color, movement, and a renewed sense of place to one of the city’s most prominent gateways.

Commissioned by the City of Indio, home of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the all-encompassing mural spans approximately 16,000 square feet. The project required Ivan and me to combine our individual visual languages into one unified design while adapting the artwork across the underpass’s walls, columns and surrounding architectural surfaces.

Our proposal was selected through a nationwide request for proposals issued by the City of Indio, placing the project among a competitive field of artists and design teams from across the country. With a budget exceeding $65,000, the installation became one of the largest and most complex public commissions of my career—requiring extensive surface preparation, large-scale production planning and the coordination of artwork across nearly every visible architectural plane.

Two distinctive artistic styles brought together as one. Created in collaboration with artist Ivan Montoya, the mural transformed a previously neglected underpass into a vibrant public destination—introducing color, movement, and a renewed sense of place to one of the city’s most prominent gateways.

Commissioned by the City of Indio, home of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the all-encompassing mural spans approximately 16,000 square feet. The project required Ivan and me to combine our individual visual languages into one unified design while adapting the artwork across the underpass’s walls, columns and surrounding architectural surfaces.

(IN) Justice

PrideWalk — Sarasota, Florida

Our proposal was selected through a nationwide request for proposals issued by the City of Indio, placing the project among a competitive field of artists and design teams from across the country. With a budget exceeding $65,000, the installation became one of the largest and most complex public commissions of my career—requiring extensive surface preparation, large-scale production planning and the coordination of artwork across nearly every visible architectural plane.

Commissioned in partnership with the nonprofit Project Pride SRQ, this five-way rainbow crosswalk was created as a public expression of visibility, belonging and civic pride. The broader initiative was funded through a grassroots community campaign that raised more than $100,000. The community later repainted the installation, demonstrating sustained local support before the artwork was ultimately removed.

Both installations were completed entirely by unpaid volunteers. Because the intersection could never be fully closed, half of the five-way crossing had to remain open to traffic throughout the painting process. I managed volunteer teams, coordinated continuously with city staff and adapted the work plan as traffic patterns, street closures and safety requirements changed in real time. The project required constant communication, rapid decision-making and careful oversight within an active intersection.

Years later, the crosswalk became part of a larger political conflict over the removal of public rainbow artwork—transforming the project from a celebration of community into a symbol of resistance and contested public space.

Queer Joy

The Dunes Resort — Saugatuck, Michigan

Commissioned in partnership with the nonprofit Project Pride SRQ, this five-way rainbow crosswalk was created as a public expression of visibility, belonging and civic pride. The broader initiative was funded through a grassroots community campaign that raised more than $100,000. The community later repainted the installation, demonstrating sustained local support before the artwork was ultimately removed.

Both installations were completed entirely by unpaid volunteers. Because the intersection could never be fully closed, half of the five-way crossing had to remain open to traffic throughout the painting process. I managed volunteer teams, coordinated continuously with city staff and adapted the work plan as traffic patterns, street closures and safety requirements changed in real time. The project required constant communication, rapid decision-making and careful oversight within an active intersection.

The Dunes, the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the Midwest, commissioned this installation to transform its main dance hall into an immersive, retro-inspired camp environment. More than 60 suspended, hand-painted canvas banners—some extending as long as 16 feet—were distributed throughout the space, surrounding guests with color, pattern and movement rather than functioning as isolated decoration.

The entire project was completed within a one-month deadline. I measured and cut each heavy canvas banner, coordinated outside sewing, primed both sides, painted every piece individually and transported the full installation to Saugatuck. Working with one hired assistant, I then installed the banners throughout the dance hall to create a cohesive, all-encompassing visual experience.

Originally commissioned for the 2025 season, the installation received such a strong response that The Dunes chose to bring it back for 2026 season. The venue also adapted imagery from the banners into an official T-shirt, extending the installation beyond the physical environment and into The Dune’s broader visual identity.

Years later, the crosswalk became part of a larger political conflict over the removal of public rainbow artwork—transforming the project from a celebration of community into a symbol of resistance and contested public space.

Group Effort

Yaker Park — Detroit, Michigan

I designed a painted pathway system connecting the different areas of Yaker Park through color, movement and play. Covering an extensive network of sidewalks, the project had to be completed during a three-hour community painting event.

I translated the design into a clear, executable system and directed 25 volunteers with no previous mural experience, supported by one hired assistant. Through advance planning, team assignments and tightly coordinated sequencing, the full installation was completed in just over two hours.

Community Identity

Polychromatic Super You — Ferndale, Michigan

Originally commissioned for the 2025 season, the installation received such a strong response that The Dunes chose to bring it back for 2026 season. The venue also adapted imagery from the banners into an official T-shirt, extending the installation beyond the physical environment and into The Dune’s broader visual identity.

The Dunes, the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the Midwest, commissioned this installation to transform its main dance hall into an immersive, retro-inspired camp environment. More than 60 suspended, hand-painted canvas banners—some extending as long as 16 feet—were distributed throughout the space, surrounding guests with color, pattern and movement rather than functioning as isolated decoration.

Created to reflect Ferndale’s energy, diversity and evolving identity, this large-scale mural transformed a previously forgettable alley wall into one of the city’s most photographed locations. Positioned along a pedestrian route connecting downtown Ferndale with its largest public parking lot, the mural also functions as an unofficial visual way finding landmark—making the transition into the downtown core feel more vibrant and memorable.

The work has since become embedded in the city’s visual identity, appearing across local media, social posts, community events and everyday life in Ferndale. What began as a blank transitional wall now serves as both a recognizable neighborhood landmark and a highly visible gateway into downtown.

Full Steam Ahead — Indio, California