Hillyard Mural Apprenticeship
Local students are making history painting the future of Hillyard.
Students are working alongside professional artists to learn what it takes to create public art. From the first sketch to final brushstroke.
Through the Hillyard Creative District’s Mural Apprenticeship Project, five Hillyard high-school student artists are gaining hands-on experience while helping bring more color, creativity, and community pride to neighborhood storefronts.
You're invited to help paint a community mural!
Join our mural apprentices on August 1st at the Hillyard Hi-Jinx Parade & Festival and be part of creating a permanent mural at Green’s Fresh Market. Everyone is welcome, come grab a brush and leave your mark on Hillyard’s history!
MEET THE APPRENTICES:
George Ivy
On Track Academy
Dove Bradshaw
On Track Academy
Mars Johnson
On Track Academy
Audrey Martin
West Valley High School
Kenzlie Heid
West Valley High School
Emmy Rudd
West Valley High School
The project is led by Spokane visual artist, designer, and art educator Rose Honey, in partnership with local muralists.
Together, they are guiding students through the real process of mural-making: developing ideas, learning neighborhood history ,working with clients, preparing surfaces, scaling designs, choosing colors, and painting in public spaces.
A huge thank you to local artists
sharing their time and talents:
Sarah Beth
Yelena Yunin
Joseph Chan
And more!
What Students Learn:
Public Art Fundamentals
Students learn about mural design, drawing, color, composition, and the role public art plays in shaping neighborhoods.
Working With the Community
Students collaborate with business owners, artists, and neighbors while learning communication, teamwork, and project planning skills.
How to Paint Real Projects
From practicing on glass panels to creating storefront window art, students gain hands-on experience working on real projects for local businesses. You can now see their window art along North Market Street at Karenoia and Hillyard Bicycle!
Creating a Permanent Mural
The project culminates in a student-led mural installation where apprentices help design, paint, and complete a lasting work of public art for Hillyard. Students will help shape the mural from start to finish, contributing to concept development, design refinement, site preparation, and installation. Once complete, the mural will become a lasting celebration of Hillyard’s creativity, history, and future.
The capstone mural will be completed in summer 2026.
Stay tuned for the mural location!
Hillyard Business owners:
Want a mural or painted storefront windows?
Working alongside professional muralists, our student artists create custom public art that brings color, creativity, and visibility to local businesses.
Fill out the form below and our team will be in touch to discuss your space, ideas, and project possibilities.
Supported by a $50,000 grant from ArtsWA, the Washington State Arts Commission, and a $25,000 match from ARPA, the mural project is part of a new apprenticeship-based approach being piloted in Hillyard.
Through career-connected learning, apprentices gain meaningful learning opportunities through real-world public art projects, including how to engage with property owners, co-design visual concepts, surface preparation, safety practices, materials and tools, application, preservation, and restoration.
This project is a new model being piloted in Hillyard.
This competitive grant was provided by ArtsWA, the Washington State Arts Commission. 
This project was partially funded through the City of Spokane’s Neighborhood Business Districts Grant, administered by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.