A practice of making participatory, healing eco-murals. The practice was detailed in a handbook to encourage more muralists to adapt their work for the better. They are asked to consider how healing, fitting and durable the mural will be.

White walls cause eyestrain and coloured walls can evoke positive feelings. Having murals in public space is therefore good, but not inherently; murals are often made only for advertising purposes using unsustainable paints. They do not meet the needs of the community and the planet. By co-designing murals with the local community, using sustainable paints, art that reflects the beliefs of the public is brought to the public in an ethical way. When imagery of nature is then incorporated in the design the mural might also bring eco-therapeutical benefits such as improved mood, stress and anxiety relief. The goal is to make murals that promote better mental health without adding to our climate crisis.

1. (Mural)Artists 2. Citizens 3. City planners

1. Teach (mural) artists how to make responsible, healing murals 2. Feel seen, grounded and calm by having a colourful cityscape that they helped co-create 3. Be convinced of the benefits of participatory eco-muralism over blank walls or commercial muralism

Nicki Deux, eco-social muralist, illustrator and lecturer at University of the Arts London