MLK Fest CO 2025: Transforming Lansing Elementary Through Art, Service, and Community

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, The Walls Project proudly hosted its first-ever MLK Fest in Colorado at Lansing Elementary School in Aurora. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, we brought together artists, volunteers, students, teachers, and families for a powerful day of service, creativity, and connection. What unfolded was a beautiful example of how community-driven collaboration can transform a space—and spark a deeper sense of pride and belonging.

Beautifying the School: Murals with a Message

At the heart of the day’s work were five vibrant murals painted throughout the school. Designed in part by high school students from Overland High School and led by professional muralist Julio “Juls” Mendoza, the murals reflected themes of growth, education, cultural identity, and mindfulness. Volunteers painted three interior school walls and two entryways leading into the courtyards. The imagery celebrated nature and learning, with bold, simple shapes and joyful scenes of children reading, gardening, and exploring.

Juls brought his unique “Cultural Surrealism” style and a deep connection to community storytelling to the project. With his guidance, dozens of volunteers—many with no painting experience—were able to leave their mark on Lansing in a way that will inspire students for years to come.

Giving Color Back: Free Paint Giveaway

In partnership with Green Sheen Paint, we also hosted a reuse paint giveaway, distributing 56 gallons of recycled paint to local families and volunteers—completely free of charge! Not only did this promote sustainability and reduce waste, but it also empowered community members to beautify their own spaces with high-quality paint.

Growing Together: Garden Bed Refresh

The interior courtyard gardens received much-needed love as volunteers worked to repaint and refresh raised garden beds, clearing out debris and preparing the space for the spring planting season. These garden beds are part of a larger vision to turn Lansing’s courtyards into an interactive learning garden and food forest for students and the broader Globeville community.

Uplifting Teachers & Kids

The energy extended into the classrooms too! Volunteers helped revitalize teacher bulletin boards, bringing color and positive messaging back into shared spaces. Meanwhile, younger children were invited to explore creativity in a Kid Zone packed with art activities, giving them a chance to express themselves while learning about service through fun.

Looking Ahead

MLK Fest 2025 was more than a day of painting—it was a day of collective impact. Through art, service, and shared effort, we created lasting change at Lansing Elementary while honoring Dr. King’s dream of community empowerment and unity.

We are incredibly grateful to all the volunteers, partners, and school staff who made this event possible. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of our work in Aurora. Together, we’re building something beautiful.