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.