Studies show that investments in public art can improve street safety, increase tourism and job opportunities, while also combatting social isolation and anxiety. Greater Gainesville has certainly embraced the mural movement, bringing new life to old walls and proving that art certainly does ignite change.
Jenna Horner, one of GG’s widely known public muralists, is on a mission to spread positive, mindful messages throughout Florida’s public schools.
As a member of the Gainesville City Board of Art & Public Trust, Horner has brought city walls to life throughout GG. She is inspired by nature, people and a desire to harmonize the two together.
Jenna’s Why
“We share public spaces. Working on something together brings people together. I believe if we give people enough space, opportunity and creativity, we can find a lot of common ground,” Horner said.
Expressing that public spaces can and should promote unity, Horner shared that when she was a student, she felt really different.
“I was so creatively charged that academia was difficult. Testing was difficult. I’d love to be this visiting guest that uplifts and inspires students that learn differently,” she said.
About Mindful Messages
Mindful Messages is a non-profit organization founded by Horner. It is a mural series with the intention of spreading positive words and imagery to all the public schools throughout the state of Florida.
Horner truly hopes to boost the overall energy of these spaces by collaborating with students and spreading affirming thoughts and words for all those that interact with the space.
This movement is about sharing uplifting art with schools in Florida as a tool that uplifts and unifies all those who visit them. Horner painted a mural at the Pace Center for Girls, prior to starting Mindful Messages.
“Protect. Love. Serve,” are the words painted at the local education center for young girls in grades six through 12. The key message to the girls is to “Be careful and cautious when driving, and don’t text and drive.”
“Murals have the ability to shift the energy of our environment and encourage us to deepen our sense of awareness and relationship with life. Each mural will be an opportunity to collaborate and teach students while also creating a painting that can stand as a permanent and unique fixture for each school. I thrive on bringing new life to transitional and forgotten spaces and I can’t wait to share my passion with schools across Florida,” Horner said.
Painting Bright Futures
“We live in this awesome time where we went from graffiti and street art being bad to now, we’re paying public artists to create these spaces with intention. I believe that our atmosphere, mindset and energy all go hand-in-hand, and my paintbrush is my favorite tool for creating conversation to do just that,” Horner said.
Horner often teaches a donation-based yoga class at Curia on the Drags Lawn, where all donations go towards the Mindful Messages movement.
To learn more about Horner’s mission to bring art and affirmations to every school in Florida, visit Jenna Horner’s website here.
By Meredith Biesinger.