The Art & Artists of Thrash Mural
The mural project at the historic Thrash Building is more than a collection of paintings. It is a celebration of Lufkin’s creative spirit, the power of collaboration, and the stories that bring us together. Each artist featured here shared their time, talent, and heart to turn this public space into something full of color, meaning, and local pride.
These murals are inspired by everything from childhood memories and personal journeys to nature, imagination, and joy. Some of the artists have painted professionally for years, while others created their first mural for this project. All of them came together with one purpose: to share their voice and bring something lasting to the heart of our city.
Take a moment to explore the people behind the paint. These are artists, storytellers, designers, and dreamers. Their work is a gift to Lufkin and a reminder that creativity lives in every corner of our community.


Mural Title: Sewn Together With Love
James Schroeder & Jaidee Allen
Inspired by the memory of his mother, an avid quilter, James Schroeder created a mural that weaves together personal legacy and community care. Each quilt block painted in the mural represents the fabric of Lufkin’s culture and connection. James shares, “I pass on the love my mother taught me through quilting by painting, and now my grandchildren are part of that tradition.” With the help of his granddaughters, this mural became not just a work of art, but a family collaboration rich in meaning.
Despite the challenges of working with rough textures and unpredictable weather, James embraced the mural process wholeheartedly. His message to viewers? “We are all an important part of the fabric of our community.”

Mural Title: True Lufkin
Bryant Jackson - Sharkbait
Using only spray paint, Sharkbait transformed his original Spring Art Show piece into a bold mural that speaks to perseverance and creativity. “Trust the Process,” he says - a message woven into the layered textures and cosmic elements of the work. What may start out looking chaotic becomes something beautiful, mirroring both life and art.
Known for using spray paint legally and creatively, Sharkbait hopes his work inspires others to think differently about the medium. His mural is a testament to Lufkin’s vibrant spirit and the unexpected power of public art.

Mural Title: Heartfelt Art Grows Wild
Wendy Summers
Wendy Summers invites you into a dreamlike world inspired by the storytelling magic of Studio Ghibli films. With tiger-striped bunnies, dancing dragonflies, and floating dandelion seeds, her mural captures a sense of wonder and gentle whimsy. Wendy shares, “There’s no rush here. Just wonder, and a story waiting for you to imagine the rest.”
This was her first mural, and though it came with challenges, scaffolding, weather, and scale, each completed section brought quiet joy. The white daisy represents her mother, and the dandelions are a tribute to two special children she cared for. Every detail is deeply personal and filled with intention.

Mural Title: Art is for Everyone!
Suzy Childers
With bright colors and playful characters, Suzy Childers’ mural beams with joy and approachability. She’s been doodling sweet faces her whole life and brings that same energy to the wall. One character, a smiling frog, has been with her since childhood.
Painting on a ladder challenged her fear of heights, but the reward was in watching the space come to life. “I just want to bring joy to people through art,” she says. Suzy has painted other works around town, including the Balloon Mural and electric boxes on East Shepherd Street.

Mural Title: Feathers of Lufkin
Rachel Molandes
Rachel’s mural is inspired by the beauty of Lufkin’s native birds and landscapes. Drawing from a sunset photo taken on a friend’s property, she wove together tree branches and birdsong to highlight the importance of conservation and natural beauty.
Her message to viewers: “Please follow our tree branches and listen to the birds’ songs. You’ll see how we are all interconnected.” She paints in a style she calls abstract realism, capturing what’s real but infusing it with imagination, color, and soul.

Mural Title: A Fun Day at Ellen Trout Zoo!
Catherine LeAnne Houston
Catherine celebrates animals, playfulness, and community pride in her whimsical mural inspired by Lufkin’s local zoo. Hidden gems, like a tiny train running through a secret tunnel, encourage viewers to look closer.
Painting on the textured wall was a new challenge for her, but the joy of sharing art with kids and families downtown made it all worth it. “I want people to take pictures with it, smile, and just enjoy the moment,” she says.

Mural Title: Wandering
Ann Phifer Reyes
Ann’s peaceful landscape mural began as a photo taken at her son’s pond. It offers a quiet escape from the everyday hustle — a reminder to slow down and follow the path ahead. “I hope my mural gives viewers a feeling of peacefulness in a stressful world,” she says.
As an experienced muralist and oil painter, she approached this wall with practiced precision — and a long-handled brush to reach the high parts. She’s known for her realism and large-scale works that are collected across the U.S.

Mural Title: Wild Flowers
Adell & Charlie Becker
Adell and Charlie Becker took a spontaneous and expressive approach to their mural, letting the work evolve naturally as they painted. The result is a colorful celebration of freedom, springtime, and the joy of creating art outdoors.
They describe their style as “loose,” unafraid to experiment or improvise. With bright acrylics and a love for community art, the Beckers continue to leave their mark on Lufkin, including a past mural tribute to Starry Night at Furniture Fetish.

Mural Title: Painting in Nature
Addison Nemec
Addison Nemec’s mural explores identity, transformation, and color. It depicts a figure who begins in black and white and paints herself back into full color, a metaphor for reclaiming joy, culture, and individuality.
“I usually just start painting until I find shapes I like,” Addison shares. “I don’t try to overthink it.” This was her first mural, and despite the heat, sunburn, and ten-foot climb, she found strength in every brushstroke and joy in every conversation with those who stopped by to cheer her on.

Mural Title: The Calming Tide
Michael Anderson Jr.
Michael’s mural tells the story of an island guardian navigating turmoil and transformation, a fantasy narrative inspired by his love for storytelling and the search for inner peace. A spirit cat symbolizes intuition and the ability to adapt.
Working from a scaffold for the first time was a new experience, but Michael embraced the challenge. His mural reflects a deep belief that art is a powerful way to share our stories, inspire others, and find calm in chaos.

Mural Title: Art is for Everyone!
Suzy Childers (second mural)
In her second mural, Suzy Childers wanted to make a bold statement: Art is for everyone! With playful characters, including her own dog Hammy the Aussiedoodle, this mural radiates joy, imagination, and inclusion.
She hopes the mural encourages viewers to pick up a paintbrush or simply smile. “I love seeing people interact with public art,” she says. “It’s all about creating a space where everyone feels welcome and inspired.”

Mural Title: Artist Collaboration
Samantha Leigh Burns
Samantha’s section of the collaborative mural features a musician, a tribute to her family’s deep musical roots spanning four generations. A surprise moment with a moth landing nearby became an unexpected inspiration, and she decided to paint it into the scene.
She shares, “Art is in our nature, and that little moth reminded me how connected everything is, people, animals, and creativity.” Despite having to restart parts of the mural mid-process, the team’s work still bloomed into something beautiful.

Mural Title: Paint by Number
Savannah Holt
Savannah designed her mural with one goal in mind, to create something fun, colorful, and hands-on for the kids of Lufkin. Starting with a sketched design and a few pre-painted shapes, she then invited children to fill in the rest, creating a true collaborative piece.
Touching up the many layers of wild and wonderful kid-chosen colors was a challenge, but also part of the magic. “It’s for the kids to have fun painting it,” she says. The result is joyful, unpredictable, and uniquely Lufkin.




























