Mural Monday - PSU Skate Park

Ana Gabriela
Apr 13
2 min read

This Mural Monday takes us to Portland.

Mural 29 came about when The Courts PDX reached out and asked if I would be willing to help cover some tagged over murals at their DIY skatepark space near PSU. They were looking for artists who could bring their own materials and create something community focused that would help deter further vandalism.

I was immediately in.

I grew up skating. Not well, but enough to know how important spaces like this are. Skateparks are not just concrete and ramps. They are gathering places. They are where friendships form, where kids find confidence, where community lives. So the opportunity to give back to that kind of space meant a lot to me.

The Vision

The goal was simple. Cover up graffiti. Bring life back to the wall. Make the park feel cared for again.

They mentioned that skate related and community related pieces tend to last longer without being tagged over, so I leaned into that energy. I decided to experiment with a slightly different style than I usually paint and have some fun with it.

WATCH THE TIMELAPSE

Instead of overthinking it, I grabbed leftover spray paint from a previous project and headed out.

Painting in the Cold

It was a quick mural. It was also a cold one.

Skateparks in winter are no joke. But there was something energizing about being out there, layering color, watching the piece come together while skaters rolled by. It felt raw and real and very Portland.

Sometimes murals are months of planning, permits, and coordination. Sometimes they are just showing up with paint and heart.

This was the second kind.

And honestly, I loved that about it.

What It Taught Me

This mural reminded me that art does not always have to be a massive production to matter. Sometimes the most meaningful projects are the ones you say yes to because they align with who you are.

It also reminded me how important community spaces are. When a wall gets tagged over and left that way, it can signal neglect. But when artists show up and create something intentional, it shifts the energy. It says this place matters. The people here matter.

And on a personal level, it felt really special to leave a piece of my art in Portland at PSU. A city that has always inspired me creatively. Even though it was cold and quick, I did not mind for a second.

Because at the end of the day, getting to give back to a space built around creativity and movement felt full circle.