See our video announcement on YouTube  which includes pictures of the winners. University of Missouri Extension has announced the winners of the 2026 Show Me Neighborhood Art Month, celebrating a record-breaking year that brought together artists, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities across Missouri. Now in its third year, Show Me Neighborhood Art Month encourages residents of all ages and artistic abilities to create and display artwork that strengthens community pride, enhances public spaces, and helps neighbors feel more connected to the places they call home. The program's vision is simple: promote creative expression and public art created by residents as a way to build a stronger sense of place and belonging. The 2026 event established new participation records with 118 registered art sites across Missouri and 1,324 public votes cast on the art. In addition, 82 percent of participants reported that participating increased their sense of belonging and love for their comm...

  The 2026 Show Me Neighborhood Art Month is underway and there are likely some public art displays near you! With over 100 sites registered (a new record for us), lots of Missourians are doing their part to help create a sense of belonging with art in their communities. To learn more or see the interactive state map, or to even vote for your favorite art, visit our website . Be sure to see the vote link below the map and let us know your top three favorites! Over 250 people have already responded and their answers to our key survey question has revealed to us: What Neighborhood Art Reveals About Community Here are a few blogs that highlight some of the projects across the state. Each one is linked to a post on our We Are Neighbors blog. The Springfield 66 Centennial Sculpture Series is a community-wide public art initiative created to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 while strengthening community identity, civic pride, and neighborhood connection across Spring...

  Mural by Hector Garcia (age 14) in Princeton, Missouri When people talk about the value of art, the conversation often centers on creativity, self-expression, or aesthetics. Those things matter. But responses from participants and visitors involved in Missouri's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month suggest that community art may be doing something even more important. It is helping people feel connected. As part of the 2026 People's Choice voting process for Show Me Neighborhood Art Month, participants were asked a simple question: "As an artist or member of the public, how does this art project make you feel about your community? Does it impact your sense of belonging and connection?" The answers reveal a powerful story. The most common emotions expressed were pride, happiness, love, and appreciation. Many respondents used words such as "proud," "happy," "beautiful," "wonderful," and "encouraging." Others spoke about how...

  Some community projects begin with a large grant, a formal plan, or a major public investment. Others begin with something much simpler: a few flowers, a little imagination, and neighbors willing to work together. In Washington, Missouri, one of the community’s most unique and beloved destinations began exactly that way. Artsy Alley, located behind 1104 E. 1st Street, started in 2023 as a residential flower planting project. What was once an ordinary alley has gradually transformed into a colorful outdoor gallery where art and nature blend together in a way that feels both whimsical and welcoming. Today, visitors strolling through the alley are greeted by an explosion of color. Gardens lining both sides of the alley feature waves of zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, poppies, hollyhocks, and countless other seasonal blooms. Throughout the growing season, the landscape changes constantly, offering something new with every visit. But the flowers are only part of the story. As the project...

One of the joys of Show Me Neighborhood Art Month is discovering how each community puts its own unique stamp on the celebration. In Marble Hill, Missouri, that stamp comes in red, white, and blue. Led by local artist and community champion Becky Trehy, Marble Hill's participation in this year's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month transformed downtown storefronts, businesses, homes, and rural landscapes into a community-wide art trail that celebrates both local creativity and hometown pride. As visitors travel through Marble Hill, they quickly notice a recurring theme. Patriotic colors appear throughout the displays. Hand-painted chairs, decorative benches, planters, storefront exhibits, and public art pieces feature stars, stripes, flags, and Americana-inspired designs. The artwork feels right at home in a community where small-town values, local businesses, and community pride remain strong. But there is another theme that appears again and again throughout the displays: dinosaurs...

  Community creativity is on full display in Turners Station Mercantile thanks to the Mighty Eagles 4-H Club’s participation in University of Missouri Extension's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month. Registered by Emma Alexander, the installation was completed on May 31, 2026, at Turners Station Mercantile, located at 6484 E. Farm Road 148 in Turners, Missouri. Titled “2026 Clover Patch: 4-H Projects,” the artwork celebrates the talents, hard work, and community spirit of local 4-H members. The project features colorful chalk art showcasing the event logo alongside hand-painted rocks created by club members. Together, these artistic elements create a vibrant display that highlights both individual creativity and the shared values of 4-H: learning, leadership, service, and community involvement. The painted rocks represent the diverse interests and projects pursued by Mighty Eagles 4-H members throughout the year. Arranged as part of the installation, each rock contributes its own uniqu...

  Show-Me Neighborhood Art Month is officially underway across Missouri, and once again neighbors are using creativity to build connection, spark conversations, and turn ordinary spaces into places of belonging. This statewide project invites residents to create and display neighborhood art in front yards, businesses, parks, and public gathering places throughout the month. The result is not simply an art show. It becomes a reason for neighbors to slow down, walk around, talk to one another, and experience community in a different way. You can learn more about the project, register artwork, explore the statewide map, and vote for your favorite displays through the Show-Me Neighborhood Art Month website . Throughout the month, I will be highlighting different entries from around the state that capture the spirit of neighboring and community. This week’s featured display is titled Love Your Neighbor , created by local artist Janelle Patterson  and displayed at 3260 E. Seneca in ...

Author's note: You can register for Neighboring 101 (one-time fee) on the MU Extension website  in order to attend this session on May 21 live. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  In many small towns, the conversation about growth tends to revolve around infrastructure, jobs, and attracting outside investment. But one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) assets is already there: local creativity.  When communities tap into their artistic talent, they don’t just beautify spaces—they build identity, pride, and a shared sense of belonging. From Empty Spaces to Shared Places Arts-led development has a unique way of transforming the everyday landscape. A blank wall becomes a storytelling canvas. An empty lot turns into a gathering space. A quiet alley evolves into a destination. In Mount Sterling, Kentucky, the Gateway Regional Arts Center has demonstrated just how impactful this approach can be. Through initiatives like a public art trail and the vibrant Umbrella Alley installation,...