PUBLIC ART
SAMARA develops large-scale public art projects in collaboration with communities, cities, and institutions, creating site-responsive works that integrate narrative, place, and shared experience.
FEATURED CIVIC PROJECTS
“Echoes of Resilience”
RP Funding Center, Lakeland Florida, United States - 2025
27ft H X 102ft W X 15ft D ( 3461 sq feet)
Commissioned by The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, Disney, and the City of Lakeland
Sponsored by Disney.
City of Lakeland Art in Public Places.
“Echoes of Resilience” celebrates the interconnected ecosystems of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The mural features a Florida panther, great horned owl, alligator, roseate spoonbill, pied-billed grebes, river otter, and monarch butterfly surrounded by forms inspired by Florida’s native flora.
The composition reflects themes of survival, regeneration, and ecological stewardship while honoring the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
“RECOGNITION:
Nominated top 15 - BEST GLOBAL MURAL - Street Art Cities. ”
“Awena” (Sunrise)
Peacock Arts Foundation Arts Residency, Fort Pierce, Florida United States - 2023
35 ft H X 61 ft W ( 2135 sq ft)
Commissioned by the City of Fort Pierce, The Fort pierce Community Redevelopment Agency, & The Peacock Arts Foundation
City of Fort Pierce Art in Public Places
Painting a vibrant narrative of this community’s past, present, and future, at its core, “Awena” features a crowned female figure, a symbol of resilience over adversity that embodies generations past & those yet to come. Magnificent male peacocks strut in their splendor, representing the city’s beauty and unwavering strength.
An arch gracefully spans, signifying the passage of time and the ever-turning cycles of life, while fiery elements evoke the sun’s power & passion at dawn. Lush foliage speaks of bountiful natural resources that grace this region, and the sky and clouds break boundaries, echoing endless possibilities.
This mural serves as a source of inspiration to those who encounter it, uniting all in a collective journey towards a brighter future… the promise of a new tomorrow.
“
Awena is a breathtaking large outdoor mural that graces the heart of the City of Fort Pierce. Named after the Native American word for sunrise, this monumental masterpiece is a testament to the rich tapestry of this community’s history, resilience, & boundless potential. ”
Process video documenting the creation of Awena, a large-scale public mural by contemporary artist Samara Ash in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Painted during the summer while the artist was seven months pregnant, the project reflects a deep commitment to public art and community engagement.
Located in the Peacock Arts District, Awena was created in collaboration with the City of Fort Pierce and the Peacock House Art Foundation.
Location:
616 Atlantic Ave, Fort Pierce, Florida — Peacock Arts District
Materials: Professional paint & weather-resistant mural coatings
Press Coverage:
CBS12, WPTV, FOX29, WPBF25, Stuart Magazine, Jupiter Magazine
Miami Shores Village Hall Murals
Two complementary murals commissioned by the Miami Shores Arts Commission celebrating the community’s identity and architectural heritage.
“Lady Unity” & “Cardinal”
Miami Shores Village Hall, Miami, Florida United States - 2023
8 ft H X 8 ft W
Commissioned by the City of Miami Shores & the Fine Arts Commission of Miami Shores
Miami Shores Art in Public Places
Lady Unity
Miami Shores Village Hall, Miami Shores, Florida
Lady Unity is a mural honoring the resilience and character of Miami Shores Village. Centered on a female figure, the composition reflects the village’s spirit through layered symbolism. Gold and yellow tones evoke prosperity, while Art Deco motifs reference the neighborhood’s architectural heritage. Floral elements celebrate the region’s natural landscape, and deep blue hues allude to the life-sustaining presence of water, reinforcing themes of continuity and collective strength.
Cardinal
Miami Shores Village Hall, Miami Shores, Florida
Located at Miami Shores Village Hall, Cardinal celebrates the northern cardinal as a symbol of endurance and fortitude. The vivid red bird stands in a poised, dignified stance, embodying courage and integrity. Framed by a proscenium-like arch inspired by both Art Deco and modern Miami architecture, the composition situates the cardinal within the village’s architectural identity while highlighting its symbolic presence in the urban landscape.
PROCESS VIDEOS
Process documentation of the mural Cardinal by contemporary artist Samara Ash, created for the City of Miami Shores.
Cardinal celebrates the northern cardinal as a symbol of tenacity and fortitude, depicted in a poised, dignified stance that embodies courage and integrity. Framed by an architectural arch inspired by Art Deco and modern Miami design, the composition situates the figure within the village’s built environment.
Painted during the final weeks of pregnancy, the mural reflects a moment of endurance and dedication within the artist’s public art practice. Cardinal was unveiled alongside the companion mural Lady Unity during Miami Art Week.
Project: Cardinal
Location: Miami Shores Village Hall — Miami Shores, Florida
Dimensions: 8 ft × 8 ft
Artist: Samara Ash
Process documentation of the mural Lady Unity by contemporary artist Samara Ash, created for the City of Miami Shores.
Lady Unity was unveiled during Miami Art Week alongside the companion mural Cardinal, forming a paired installation at Miami Shores Village Hall. The composition centers on a female figure symbolizing continuity, strength, and the cultural identity of the Miami Shores community.
Completed just days before the artist gave birth, the mural reflects a moment of endurance and commitment within her public art practice.
Project: Lady Unity
Location: Miami Shores Village Hall — Miami Shores, Florida
Dimensions: 8 ft × 8 ft
Artist: Samara Ash
“Legacy”
Memphis, Tennessee — 2024
14 ft × 27 ft (378 sq ft)
Commissioned by Paint Memphis
City of Memphis Art in Public Places
Legacy celebrates the resilience of endangered wildlife through the imagery of a young female cougar and a rufous hummingbird, symbols of strength and adaptability within fragile ecosystems. Flowing lines echo the delicate balance of nature, while earth tones and vibrant colors weave together visual references to African, Native, and Latin American cultural traditions. Circular and geometric patterns suggest cycles of renewal, and the presence of a cardinal and urban forms reflects themes of revitalization, continuity, and collective resilience.
“Ascension”
Madison Middle School, Miami, Florida — 2024
9 ft × 19 ft (171 sq ft)
Commissioned for Miami-Dade Public Schools
Painted during Miami Art Week in collaboration with aWall Mural Projects
Ascension portrays Madison Middle School’s mustang mascot leaping forward, symbolizing courage, growth, and the promise of the future. Surrounded by blue and magenta cloud-like constellations, the composition evokes boundless potential and imagination. The tropical landscape references Miami’s natural environment while reinforcing themes of stewardship, community pride, and the vitality of the next generation.
“As a professional muralist with over 25 years of experience in the fine arts, I’ve had the privilege of bringing vibrant, thought-provoking art to a wide array of public places (Malaga, Spain, Walnut Creek, CA; Miami Shores, FL; Barcelona, Spain, Fort Pierce, FL; Wynwood, FL & many more) . ”
ADDITIONAL MURALS & COMMISSIONS
“Warriors”
City of Miami Fire Department, Station 12, Liberty City 2021
30ft x 23ft (690 sq ft)
[C-ID# Ash21-MRL]
Mural paying homage to those who serve and protect their community while risking their lives.
“They rise from the ashes and fly having to use their courage to drive them through the battle. Warriors that put their lives on the line constantly tested and shaped by fire.” - Samara Ash
“Lydia” & “Un Portrait D’Homme”
Sommelier Valley, North Miami 2020
8 ft x 6 ft each
[C-ID# Ash20-MRL]
“Designing large-scale murals is a rewarding process that requires careful consideration of the location, audience, and objective behind the work. I believe that a mural should not only be visually appealing, but it should also convey a meaningful message that resonates with its viewers… with the community that it will become a part of. ”
“Metropolis”
Private Collector, Edgewater, Florida — 2021
14 ft × 18 ft (252 sq ft)
Inspired by a 1927 film 📽 (Metropolis) & a 2010 movie (Tron: Legacy); this piece brough forth one of my favorite things to paint in the world... textures.
Rendering carbon, stone, rock, cement, & marble make me feel alive for some reason. Nature is the most incredible holder of artwork & the Creator is its Master artist. Im humbled by representing a tiny fraction of its beauty through this medium... painting
ARCHITECTURAL VINYL MURALS
Large-scale murals can also be produced as architectural vinyl installations when site conditions, materials, or project timelines require an alternative to hand-painted work.
“LUCID”
“Lucid” by Samara Ash
In addition to hand-painted murals, Samara Ash designs site-responsive artwork that can be fabricated as large-format vinyl wall graphics. This method allows complex compositions to be precisely reproduced at architectural scale and is frequently used in public art programs, educational institutions, and civic spaces where surface conditions or project logistics require a printed installation.
These installations maintain the visual presence of a mural while offering efficient fabrication, removable application, and adaptability to a wide range of architectural surfaces.
“On location murals bring artwork out of the gallery context making the works more accessible to the public.”
Works from the M.I.A. Series
MURALS FOR COMMERCIAL SPACES…
“SOMM VALLEY”
“Somm Valley” by Muralist Samara Ash
Location: North Miami, FL United States. Custom mural commissioned by Sommelier Valley. 20ft w x 12 ft h [ C-ID# Ash20-mrl-002 ]
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Art Collection
Windstar Cruises Art Collection
Brevard Zoo Art Collection
Sagamore Art Collection
Miami Shores Village Art in Public Places
City of Lakeland Art in Public Places
City of Fort Pierce Art in Public Places
City of Fort Myers Art Collection
City of Stuart Art in Public Places
City of Aurora Colorado Art in Public Places
Barry Neumman Private Collection
Joan Blackman Private Collection
Susie & Walid Wahab Collection
Director Steven Soderbergh’s Art Collection
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS & SITE-RESPONSIVE PROJECTS