Why Public Art Matters: Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week


Public art is more than just decoration. It’s a powerful way to bring people together, share stories, and create a sense of pride in where we live. Whether it’s a colorful mural on the side of a building, a sculpture in a park, or a painted bench at a bus stop, public art can change how we feel about a place—and about each other.

When we see art in our neighborhoods, it shows that someone cares. Art tells us that the space is for everyone. It invites us to stop, look, and maybe even smile. A blank wall might go unnoticed, but a bright mural can grab your attention and make a walk through town more exciting. Art makes a place feel alive.

Public art can also help us feel like we belong. When artists include images from our community—like local animals, landmarks, or people—we feel seen and valued. Art can tell the story of who we are. It can honor history, celebrate culture, or bring attention to something important. Seeing those stories out in the open reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.

In parks, public art makes spaces more welcoming. A sculpture near a playground can become a landmark for kids. Painted walkways or decorated picnic tables can make a park feel more fun and creative. When people enjoy the way a place looks, they are more likely to spend time there—and when people spend time together, communities grow stronger.

Public art also brings people together during the process. Sometimes schools, neighbors, or local groups work with artists to help design or paint a mural. This teamwork builds connections and helps everyone feel ownership of the final result. When people help create something, they’re more likely to care for it and protect it.

Some may think art is just a “nice extra,” but it does more than decorate. It makes public places feel safer, more welcoming, and more connected. It sparks conversations and makes people proud of where they live.

In the end, public art reminds us that we are part of a community. It helps turn empty walls and forgotten corners into places full of life, color, and meaning. That’s why public art matters—not just to artists, but to all of us.

Learn more about Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week online.

A new addition to my neighborhood art display this year featuring butterflies that was put in in time for Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week 2025.


Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Cities Named Most Neighborly in Missouri for 2024

Image
  Photo above: From a block party in Ferguson, Missouri. New to Missouri Good Neighbor Week this year was recognition for the most neighborly cities in the state.  This honor was based on points earned by participating in the week, city campaigns and proclamations, residents making nominations for most engaged neighbor and reporting acts of neighboring, and statewide or local prizes won.  "The goal was to further engage cities with Missouri Good Neighbor Week and we had over 12 pass proclamations and at least 12 that had organized city-wide efforts for Missouri Good Neighbor Week," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "We ended the week with over 31,000 documented acts of neighboring and five cities worthy of the title 'most neighborly city' in Missouri." In 2024, five cities were named the most neighborly cities in Missouri: Houston, Excelsior Springs, Sikeston,...
Read more

Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbors Honored as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week

Image
 Jessica Bueler, Saint Louis City, Missouri During Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2024, over 120 individuals were nominated as Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbor, and 22 were selected for individual recognition. Our Missouri celebration also got national attention from NextDoor, the social media company, whose leadership team worked with us to create a post that went out nationwide on NextDoor on Sept. 27.  You can access it here . At that point, another 50 nominations poured in from across the state. "The nominations were of really high quality this year," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "Every nominee should have received a letter letting them know of the nomination and a memento, a Missouri Good Neighbor Week nominee keychain." The top nominees (22 this year) will receive a check for $100 and an official award certificate. In past years, there have been 50 to 60 n...
Read more

Results of 2024 Missouri Good Neighbor Week Exceed 30,000 Acts of Neighboring!

Image
  Several hands have been busy tabulating the final results from the 4th Annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week. While those volunteers and partners are invaluable, people like you are also worthy of thanks.  Individual Missourians who reported their acts of neighboring nominated someone for an award, or organized a block party! Or you were on one of 60 committees with University of Missouri Extension to organize county-level efforts that account for over 14,000 acts of neighboring this year!  No matter your role or level of involvement, thank you. On another positive note, the efforts in Missouri have not gone unnoticed. In the last month, I have received inquiries about the creation of other statewide neighbor weeks from Massachusetts, Michigan, Connecticut, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Washington, and Colorado. How exciting! Based on this year's results, the future seems bright. ENGAGED NEIGHBORS. We have already announced the 22 individuals being recognized as Missouri...
Read more