This bus shelter project began as part of an open call from Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture. The Art + Transit program aims to bring more vibrancy to the daily commute by enlivening unsuspecting spaces. Since 2018, Art + Transit has commissioned Triangle-based artists to create Transit-related art around Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Read MoreConcepts & Thoughts
Holly Springs: Downtown Festival Street Design Lab /
Reimagining Downtown Holly Springs
Festival Street Design Lab | Holly Springs, NC | August 2026
After working with the Town of Holly Springs on its first-ever downtown mural, I was excited for the opportunity to continue our creative partnership and explore an even bigger question:
What could downtown Holly Springs become?
As part of a larger Festival Street initiative, the Town hired Bolton & Menk as the engineering firm helping develop a vision for the future of this downtown corridor. I was brought onto the project as an Art Activation Consultant, focusing specifically on the public art possibilities within that larger vision and exploring how art, color, interaction, and community participation could help bring those possibilities to life.
The site itself is, on most days, a standard downtown street lined with diagonal parking spaces. But for one night, the goal was to look beyond what the space currently is and imagine what it could be.
🔷 What if a street could become a gathering place?
🔷 A canvas?
🔷 A place to play, eat, connect, and spend time together?
Rather than simply telling the community about that possibility, we wanted to bring the vision to life.
Phase 1: Designing The Experience
The process began collaboratively with Bolton & Menk and the Town of Holly Springs team, thinking not only about how Festival Street could look, but how people could move through and interact with it.
Building from imagery and motifs connected to Holly Springs, I developed a visual language incorporating elements inspired by local nature and identity, including holly leaves, bees, water, fish, branches, flowers, and other playful geometric forms.
A continuous white ribbon moved throughout the design, weaving between these different elements as a visual representation of the many layers of identity, people, and experiences that make up Holly Springs.
But this project needed to go beyond creating something beautiful.
We were designing an experience.
The temporary activation included a large-scale pavement mural, an illustrated fence installation, interactive community prompts, gathering spaces, and opportunities for play.
Together, these elements transformed the street from a place designed primarily for cars into a place centered around people.
Phase 2.01: Community Engagement - Share Your Ideas
Before paint ever touched the pavement, we brought the project to the Holly Springs Farmers Market. Instead of presenting the community with a finished idea, we invited them into the creative process.
Children and adults experimented with colors, shapes, patterns, and imagery through hands-on activities while community members shared feedback about what they wanted Festival Street to feel like.
🔷 What colors felt like Holly Springs?
🔷 What imagery connected with the community?
🔷 Should the future space feel colorful, relaxing, energetic, playful, or something else entirely?
These small interactions became another layer of the design process.
For me, meaningful community engagement isn't simply asking people whether they like a finished design. It is creating opportunities for people to contribute ideas, make choices, experiment, and begin developing a sense of ownership over the space before it even exists.
Phase 2.02: Community Engagement - Paint With Us!
Then it was time to turn the street itself into the canvas.
During a community paint day, volunteers helped bring the pavement mural to life through a large-scale paint-by-number experience.
Flowers expanded across parking spaces. Bees, leaves, water, fish, branches, bubbles, and geometric forms began appearing across the asphalt. White lines moved between the individual illustrations, visually connecting the different areas of the street.
Community members weren't just watching a public art installation happen. They were helping create it.
That distinction was important.
The finished mural became a record of many individual hands contributing to one shared environment, while the process of painting together gave people another reason to gather, talk, collaborate, and experience the street differently.
Phase 3: Experiencing Festival Street
The final phase was designed to culminate in a Festival Street block party where the community could experience the transformed space together.
Unfortunately, weather had other plans, and the full evening event had to be canceled. But the activation still had a chance to do exactly what it was created to do.
During a shortened midday event, community members, nearby businesses, Town staff, and visitors were able to step into the transformed street, pull up a chair, play games, explore the artwork, interact with the installations, and experience the area as something other than a place to park or drive through.
For a few hours, the street became a place to stay. And that temporary shift was the point.
What Could This Space Become?
One of my favorite things about temporary public art is that it gives communities permission to experiment.
Not every idea for a public space has to begin with permanent construction. Sometimes paint, furniture, programming, games, and community participation can help people experience an idea before deciding what should come next.
The Holly Springs Festival Street Art Activation Design Lab was an opportunity to do exactly that.
🔷 We took an ordinary downtown street and temporarily changed its purpose.
🔷 We added color where there was asphalt.
🔷 We created gathering spaces where there were parking spaces.
🔷 We invited residents to contribute rather than simply observe.
Most importantly, we created an opportunity for the community to ask: What if this street could be more?
Could it become a place for markets, performances, public art, outdoor dining, community celebrations, play, or simply spending time together?
The answers don't have to come all at once.
Sometimes the first step toward reimagining a place is simply giving people the opportunity to experience it differently.
For one colorful weekend in Holly Springs, that's exactly what we did.
Partnership Magnet Elementary Corridor Mural /
The client wanted to transform a high-traffic school corridor into an immersive experience that better reflected Partnership Magnet Elementary's identity and culture. As one of the first spaces students, staff, and visiting families encounter, the mural creates an energetic sense of arrival while celebrating the school's "Small School, Big City" spirit. Through bold color, movement, and school-inspired iconography, the hallway has become a welcoming environment that reinforces school pride and leaves a lasting first impression.
Read MoreHolly Springs Downtown Mural /
The town commissioned me to create a design that was uniquely Holly Springs that would transform a once mundane wall into a memorable moment for community members. As a kick off to their 150 anniversary celebration, this project is the first ever Town of Holly Springs commissioned project and the energy it brings to the downtown community is undeniable.
Read MoreBooker Creek Storm Drain Mural /
This storm drain mural project began as part of an open call from Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture in collaboration with Chapel Hill Stormwater Management inviting Triangle-based artists to transform prominent sidewalk storm drains into vibrant, environmentally themed public artworks.
Read MoreGateway Plaza Fence Installation /
This client came to me with a challenge: To transform an exterior patio fence into an energized, memorable experience. Durability is key, as the site sits at the top of a hill along a fence and takes the full force of North Carolina’s ever-changing weather.
Instead of forcing a traditional approach, we collaborated on a solution that actually fit their needs: Bold color, dynamic geometry, and a celebration of Raleigh’s downtown energy.
Read MoreCurrent Wellness /
This project was a perfect fit from the beginning — uniting my love of fitness, positive mantras, and (of course) transforming once mundane spaces into memorable experiences for our community. This may be my smallest “mural” project to date but honestly it is one of my favorites!
Read MoreCity of Raleigh - Downtown Signal Box /
This design was selected as part of the City of Raleigh, Public Art on Signal Boxes Project. Digitially printed and adhered to the metal panels of this outdoor signal box, this project was installed in downtown Raleigh during the Summer of 2025 with a handful of other fetured artists.
Signal boxes are located at intersections and control traffic lights. The boxes are integral to the flow of cars and pedestrians throughout the city, but their plain metal exteriors often leave them hidden in plain sight…until now!
Read MoreThe Davie Streeterie Mural /
The Davie
Exterior Mural on Wood Seating Structure | 444 Blount St. (Raleigh, NC) | May 2025 | 4.5ft x 20.25ft x 6ft
⭐ Your Neighborhood Bar -- With Good Drinks & Better People ⭐
This project was truly a dream come true! As MY favorite local neighborhood bar, collaborating with The Davie team to activate their outdoor seating area has been incredible!
Focusing on their core values, creating a sense of community, and attracting future customers, this curbappeal facelift is more than just a mural -- It's a strategic investment in the future of this space, business, and community.
Over the past month, the community support, words of encouragement, and thoughtful conversations that I've experienced as I painted streetside in Downtown Raleigh (most of the time literally in the street) have shown me the true importance and power of COMMUNITY. Why? Because we are Better Together!
Yes as artists many of us create work that energizes our souls. But seeing others respond to, be inspired by, and celebrate the work that you are doing? That's a special kind of feeling.
Now that it's complete, I am so excited for the drinks, memories, and heart to heart conversations that are going to be shared here. THIS is what community is all about.
Want to see it up close? COME VISIT!
From sports games and open mic nights, to Taco Tuesday hangouts and First Friday celebrations, The Davie is YOUR local bar (and conveniently RIGHT across the street from my studio at Artspace!).
444 Blount St. Raleigh NC | Follow The Davie on Instagram
Want to see more projects like this come to life?
A Memorable Impact on a Once Overlooked Street Corner!
Let's be honest... Which do you think ATTRACTS FUTURE CUSTOMERS more? Don't underestimate the potential of your blank wall to make an impact on your business!
Do You Have A Boring White Wall? Let's Make It A Memorable Moment Instead!
Whether it’s a storefront, lobby, office, or photo-worthy corner — I can help your space speak for you.
✨ Custom Designed To Your Space
✨ Photo-op Ready
✨ Designed To Attract
Let's create #OneLessWhiteWall in our community! Send me an email for your free discovery call!
Behind The Scenes of Bringing The Mural To Life:
For more behind the scenes videos and photos, visit @JSandersStudio on Instagram.
Marshall Art Retreat 2025 /
Marshall, NC | March 2025
Reconnecting with friends, nature, and getting grounded in creativity — what an amazing trip! For the second year in a row, I attended the Squirrel Brain, Chickadee Soul Retreat in Marshall, NC hosted by the incredibly talented Amanda Jeanne!
Last year my goal for this retreat was to get regrounded with my creative voice and my experience was rooted in experimentation, play, and discovery. Being a fulltime artist with a full-time day job at the time, this retreat served a different need for me — multiple days of PURE creativity and disconnect.
Now a year later, this retreat was grounding in a different way — connecting with fellow artists, embracing the energy of the day, and working primarily on a commission painting project (not pictured). Life as a full-time artist, has it’s own challanges but embracing the opportunity to get away and not have to put in a PTO request… THAT is a defining moment and this trip was JUST what my heart needed to "reset" as we jump into Spring!
Behind the Scenes of The Retreat
2024 Gift Guide /
Download your FREE PDF Gift Guide below and give the gift of colorful art that your loved ones will cherish for years to come! With original art and art products starting at just $5, use this guide to discover colorful pieces that your loved ones will not find anywhere else.
Read MoreHeaing Transitions Custom Signage /
Women’s Campus Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Custom Corporate Building Signage | October 2024
Congratulations to Healing Transitions for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their brand new Women’s Campus! Expanding on and improving their facility means more resources for more women in our community which is milestone worth celebrating! From more beds and bathrooms to a more efficient kitchen space and equiptment, this life saving space not only saves lives but it is a sign of hope for a better tomorrow!
As a local buinsess owner it is an honor to help Healing Transitions in this milestone, not only through quarterly donations from original J Sanders Studio Paintings sales, but ALSO with the creation of Custom Donor Signage for their space!
Bringing light, color, and hope to this building of healing and recovery, donor signage is the perfect way to celebrate the incredible supporters who make spaces like this possible.
PEOPLE helping PEOPLE.💙Together, long term-recovery IS possible.
Want to learn more about Healing Transitions, their new facility, and their BIG goals ahead? Visit them online: https://healing-transitions.org/
Need Signage For Your Space?
Shoot me an email and we’ll talk about your needs, brainstorm your project, and cast the vision for the possibilities in your space!
Healing Transitions’ Women’s Campus Donor Signage
Art Givers /
Local Non-Profit Spotlight: Art Givers
Supporting Healing & Supporting Artists
“ArtGivers makes the healing power of original art available to more people in more places.
[They] purchase art from emerging artists and offer it for free to mission-driven organizations like free and charitable medical clinics, shelters, and drug rehab centers, to own and hang in their facilities. This supports both the people who view and engage with the art, and the artists who create it.”
Want to learn more about Art Giver and how you can be involved? Check out their website.
FRESH 2024 /
FRESH is a celebration of NC artists. With a new twist on our biennial fundraiser, FRESH not only includes both an open and a juried exhibition, but also live music as part of FRESH Sounds, FRESH Perspectives with panel discussions, roundtables, artist talks, and more, as well as programming for families with Artspace’s FRESH Family Day.
Read MoreBand Together: Mighty Giveback Event 2024 /
Band Together: Mighty Giveback Event
Live Painting Artist | Red Hat Amphitheater (Raleigh, NC) | Sept. 21, 2024
Supporting mental health services and affordable housing in the Triangle through the power of live music and philanthropy? It doesn’t get much better than that!
And that is what the Mighty Giveback Event is all about which is why I was honored to be asked to be a Live Painting Artist at the event. In addition to enjoying amazing vendors, food, and live music, visitors also watched visual art come to life before their eyes with the opportunity to bid on the final works during their live auction at the end of the night.
Together, they raised OVER 1 Million Dollars for mental health services and affordable housing in our area — that will single handedly provide service to over 11,000 people!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who came out to support our community and thank you to the AMAZING Band Together and United Way team for putting on another successful event! THIS is what art and community are all about ❤️🎼🫶🏼
Want to learn more about the event and how you can be involved next year? Check out their website.
Heaing Transitions Annual Awards /
Fred Barber Service Awards
Healing Transitions Annual Awards | September 19, 2024
Recovery for ALL because recovery CAN’T WAIT💙
It was an honor to create Healing Transitions’ 2024 Fred Barber Legacy of Service Awards and attend their recognition ceremony two weeks ago! Highlighting the incredible, life-saving work of their community members, the recipients of these awards have gone above and beyond with their service and have made an INCREDIBLE impact on the continued recovery of program participants.
THIS is what service and community in action looks like. PEOPLE helping PEOPLE.💙
Congratulations to all for the 2024 award recipients and THANK YOU for the life changing service that you give to others. Together, long term-recovery IS possible.
Want to learn more about Healing Transitions? Visit them online: https://healing-transitions.org/
Trig Modern /
I am BEYOND excited to share that J Sanders Sudio original paintings are now available at Trig Modern! Trig Modern, based in Raleigh, NC, is your go-to destination for mid-century modern furniture, dedicated to curating timeless designs that transform living spaces with sophistication and style.
Read MoreChapel Hill Public Library Display /
The hallways of Chapel Hill Library just got a little bit brighter with the bold colors and geometric lines of J. Sanders Studio paintings! Transforming the mundane moment of walking down a long hallway into a memorable experience for library visitors, this collection includes pieces from the Sunrise Series.
Read MoreDuke University Hospital Art Display /
The hallways of Duke Hospital just got a little bit brighter with the bold colors and geometric lines of J. Sanders Studio paintings! Transforming the mundane moment of walking down a long hallway into a memorable experience for hospital workers and visitors, this collection includes pieces from the Sunrise Series.
Read MoreHunter Magnet Elementary School /
Hunter Magnet Elementary School Community Engagement Mural
30ft x 17ft Indoor Community Engagement Mural | Feb.-May 2024 | Raleigh, NC
⭐ One Less White Wall… Student Edition! ⭐
After working with Hunter GT/AIG Basics Magnet Elementary School in the Spring of 2023 I was BEYOND excited to continue as a Creative Community Partner for their Geometric Art Elective in the Spring of 2024
Over several weeks, the students not only learned about the power of murals and public art but they also worked WITH me to bring an abstract geometric mural to life IN THEIR SCHOOL!
⭐ These Hunter STARS are leaving their mark on their school! ⭐
Through lectures, creative activities, and the hands-on experience of painting ON THE WALL, these 4th and 5th grade students had the unique experience of leaving their mark on their school to be celebrated for years and generations to come!
Located in one of the main hallways, our mural transformed a once overlooked space into a destination and memorable moment for students, teachers, and community members.
Say goodbye to another white wall. These Hunter STARS left their mark!
A Memorable Impact on a Once Overlooked Hallway!
Behind The Scenes of Bringing The Mural To Life:
For more behind the scenes videos and photos, visit @JSandersStudio on Instagram.
Project Timeline:
Late February 2024 - May 2024 (Spaced out so the students can see and learn about the creative process!)
✅ Phase 1 - Prep the Space - complete!
✅ Phase 2 - Doodle Grid - complete!
✅ Phase 3 - Sketch Design - complete!
✅ Phase 4 - Add Color Blocks - complete!
✅ Phase 5 - Add Dynamic Outline - complete!
…See updates in in the photo gallery below!
Want to see more projects like this come to life?
Hunter GT/AIG Basics Magnet Elementary School is Wake County's first and finest magnet school! The unique Gifted and Talented/Academically Intellectually Gifted (GT/AIG) theme gives students the opportunity to identify, explore, and expand their gifts and talents in AIG, the content areas, and in multiple areas of the visual and performing arts.
Named a Nationally Certified Magnet School and a TOP 24 Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence, Hunter was founded on the five pillars of…
Diversity
Innovative curriculum and professional development
Academic excellence
High quality instructional systems
Family and community partnerships
The synergistic relationship of these five equally held tenets is not merely a foundation, but a compass moving students/children forward to a well prepared future.
Behind The Scenes of Bringing This Mural To Life:
For more behind the scenes videos and photos, visit @JSandersStudio on Instagram.
