Clarkston’s Underpass to Become a Canvas of Culture: Trudy Tran Chosen for Underpass Mural
On Wednesday, June 4, the Clarkston Community Center hosted a pivotal community meeting to finalize the artist selection for the upcoming City of Clarkston Underpass Mural Project. The project, led by the City of Clarkston in collaboration with Living Walls, aims to create a bold and welcoming visual landmark that represents the spirit and identity of Clarkston for all who pass through.
Living Walls, an organization known for activating public spaces through art, coordinated the search and selection of three talented finalists: Alea Hurst, Charity Hamidullah, and Trudy Tran. Each artist brought forward a compelling and heartfelt proposal rooted in community themes, personal experience, and artistic storytelling.
After careful review and a robust discussion at the community meeting, the Selection Panel cast their final votes in favor of Trudy Tran. Her mural proposal stood out not only for its visual impact but also for the deep research and community engagement she undertook prior to designing it. Trudy spent time in Clarkston, attending events, visiting local landmarks, and speaking with residents to understand the heartbeat of the city.
“She didn’t just design a mural—she listened and reflected the people’s voices,” one panelist noted. “It felt like Clarkston was already living in her artwork.”
Trudy’s radial design symbolizes the interconnectedness of cultures and communities in Clarkston. Her artwork includes imagery of traditional clothing, faith spaces, shared meals, gardens, and multilingual messages—all woven together to invite viewers to pause, observe, and feel connected.
While Trudy was selected as the lead artist, the panel emphasized their desire to continue working with her to refine the design, ensuring every detail aligns with the lived experiences of Clarkston residents.
The other two finalists also left a deep impression on the panel and attendees:
Alea Hurst celebrated Clarkston’s multicultural identity through food and spice:
“Food is a universal connector… this mural celebrates how flavors and traditions bring people together.”
Charity Hamidullah presented a two-part piece rooted in spiritual symbolism and the voices of children in the community:
“This mural was an ode to be more childlike… to hold on to love, protection, and togetherness across generations.”
The City of Clarkston, Living Walls, and Clarkston Community Center extend their deepest thanks to all three artists for their powerful contributions and to the residents who participated in the meeting. The underpass mural is not just a work of public art—it’s a collective expression of the city’s values, identity, and hope.
Stay tuned as the project moves forward and Trudy Tran begins working alongside the community to bring the mural to life.
