Art in Action: Watch a Live Mural Unfold in Downtown White Salmon This May
This May, as the Columbia Gorge erupts in wildflowers, color is blooming on more than just the hillsides. During the White Salmon Wildflower Festival, the streets of downtown will become a canvas as local artist Tina Jacobi paints a brand-new mural live for the public to see. Over the course of the month, Tina will transform a wall into a celebration of nature, movement, and community—right before our eyes.
“I’ve embraced the vibrancy of spring here in the Gorge—wildflowers, windswell, and snow-capped Mt. Hood,” Tina says of her mural’s concept. “Nature’s movement is everywhere and I hope this design showcases that.” Inspired by the environments where she lives, plays, and works, Tina’s artwork reflects the energy she feels in the Gorge—from the rivers she kayaks to the mountains she hikes.
Tina brings a unique blend of experiences to her work. A registered nurse, professional artist, and co-owner of Big Water Construction, she’s been painting murals and custom artwork professionally since 2016, with pieces displayed throughout the Gorge and internationally. Tina and her husband, Rhett, will collaborate on the mural using their construction background to ensure high-quality execution with materials and techniques built to last.
What makes this mural even more special is the live painting process. Tina will be painting throughout the month of May—usually in the evenings, weather permitting—and she’s inviting the public to stop by, engage, and be a part of the process. “Every interaction is an opportunity for connection while live painting,” she says. “I welcome participation in the artistic process and look forward to sharing the joy of painting with my community.”
For Tina, this project is about more than paint on a wall. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to share my art and values with the community. I hope this project will continue to further my goal of keeping art inclusive and accessible to everyone,” she says. She views murals as catalysts for conversation, creativity, and connection. “Murals are opportunities for enriching interactions and, most importantly, for encouraging a deeper connection with our own values.”
Don’t miss this chance to witness art come to life, meet the artist, and celebrate the incredible spirit of White Salmon. Stop by throughout May to see the mural evolve and follow along on Instagram at @jacobiotter and @bigwaterconstruction. For more of Tina’s work, visit Tina Jacobi Art and Big Water Construction. “My artworks are on display at Double Mountain in Hood River through May 2025 and I have an upcoming mural project in the Underwood community this Summer. We are actively looking for additional opportunities to create murals for private and public spaces. Please reach out if you think we would be a good fit for your project!”
Come for the wildflowers. Stay for the mural. Leave inspired.
About the Artist
Tina Jacobi is a professional artist, RN, and co-owner of Big Water Construction based in the Columbia River Gorge. Since 2016, she has been creating vibrant, nature-inspired artwork that reflects her love of the outdoors and the dynamic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Tina’s murals and paintings can be found throughout the Gorge and beyond, and she has collaborated with a wide range of brands including 10 Barrel, Ruffwear, Mt. Hood Meadows, and American Whitewater. When she’s not painting or building, Tina can be found kayaking, wing foiling, or biking with her husband, always drawing inspiration from the wild places she calls home.
Funding for this mural comes from the White Salmon Wine Walk proceeds.
A Mural for the People: How the White Salmon Wine Walk Is Bringing Art—and Community—to Life
During this year’s White Salmon Wildflower Festival, something beautiful is blooming right in the heart of town—not just in the hillsides and gardens, but on the very walls of our community. Thanks to funds raised by the White Salmon Wine Walk, a brand-new public mural will be painted on the front of Marcel, one of downtown’s most creative storefronts. But this isn’t just a mural—it’s a reflection of connection, creativity, and community involvement.
The mural is the work of local artist Molly Holmlund, whose creative roots run deep. “My artistic journey began in childhood,” she shares. “I was fortunate to grow up with parents who met in art school, so I always had access to art supplies and encouragement to create.” Molly studied fine art at the University of Cincinnati and is known for her thoughtful, nature-inspired designs.
Her concept for the mural draws directly from her connection to the natural world. “I’m fascinated by shapes, light, and color,” she says. “Nature inspires me, especially during walks in the woods, where I observe a variety of shapes illuminated by ever-changing light.” For this piece, she’s incorporating simple shapes inspired by fallen petals, leaves, and seedlings—a quiet but powerful nod to the wildflower season we’re celebrating.
But perhaps the most exciting part? This mural is for everyone. In a true community-driven spirit, Molly is outlining the mural to be painted in a paint-by-number format, inviting locals and visitors alike to join in. “A mural is so big it needs to be shared,” she says. “It becomes part of the community. This will be a fun, hands-on way for people to experience the process of creating public art.”
The mural will come to life on the facade of Marcel, a shop curated and owned by designer and artist Amy Nowatzki. Amy has long believed that murals are more than decoration—they’re storytelling. “Murals tell the story of a place,” she says. “They invite everyone to pause, reflect, and wonder.”
For Amy, who grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and found beauty in every season, this mural is deeply personal. “The front of my building feels like a blank canvas that’s calling out—‘Paint me!’” she says. “The theme is connection, balance, and community. There’s a rhythm and energy in the landscape here that mirrors the spirit of our town. I want this mural to reflect that.”
And it will. With support from the White Salmon Wine Walk, which has raised over $26,000 for downtown beautification since its inception, the mural joins a list of community-funded projects, including sidewalk gardens, murals, sculptures, benches, garbage cans, and holiday lights. It’s proof that when a small town comes together, big things can happen—beautiful things.
The mural will also feature a painted metal sculpture of chairs on the top of the building—a symbol of gathering and welcome. As Amy puts it: “Our community is filled with love and support. I hope the mural sparks joy and helps people feel more connected to their surroundings. More than anything, I want folks to feel welcome—to come into a shared space and feel a part of something bigger.”
Want to help paint the mural? Follow @explorewhitesalmon and @marcel.good.goods on Instagram for painting dates and times.
Because here in White Salmon, when we paint a wall, we’re building something more than art—we’re building community.