The Small Business Murals Project, which was created by the Rocket Community Fund and now managed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, pairs muralists with small business owners throughout the city to create transformative, large-scale murals. The goal of the project is two-fold: to spur business growth for participating entrepreneurs and to create one-of-a-kind art in Detroit neighborhoods that brings people together. Since 2017, we’ve worked with 25 artists to create 32 murals for Detroit businesses.
Next, we work with 1xRUN to identify prominent Detroit artists and connect them with our business owners to collaborate on the mural development.
The artists paint the murals, creating one-of-a-kind art that attracts Detroiters from
throughout the city and supports small business growth.
Go on a self-guided mural tour to see how the Small Business Murals Project is reinvigorating businesses and communities across Detroit.
Take The Self-Guided Tour
Waleed is a 2015 graduate of the University of Notre Dame Dual Degree program. Waleed graduated with a BS in Computer Engineering, a BA in Studio Art and was selected as a 2015 Reilly Scholar, which is a special honor given to exemplary dual degree students at Notre Dame. Waleed's concentration for his BA was painting. At Notre Dame Waleed received the 2015 Barbara H. Roche Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Painting as well as the Mabel L. Mountain Painting Prize. Waleed is a native Detroiter who is passionate about his city. After graduation Waleed returned to Detroit, which is where he lives and creates. Waleed’s work has been published in the International Review of African American Art, and has been shown at various places including The Saginaw Art Museum, Gallery Guichard in Chicago and Galerie Camille in Detroit.
Check out this interactive map to see all of our murals and learn more about the participating artists and small businesses.
For more information on our small businesses mural project, contact us at: info@gilbertfamilyfoundation.org