Community members of all ages came together in April alongside the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem to create two new vibrant murals at the Jerry Long Family YMCA, thanks to support from the Shallow Ford Foundation through a Bingham Arts Grant.

The Clemmons Community Mural was organized and led by the Associated Artists of Winston‑Salem (AAWS) and brought together AAWS members and local residents for two community paint days on April 18 and April 26. Over the course of the project, participants worked side‑by‑side to transform a shared space into a lasting work of public art reflecting creativity, collaboration, and community pride.

“This mural represents exactly what we hoped the Bingham Arts Grants would inspire,” said Emmy Corn, President and CEO of the Shallow Ford Foundation. “It brought people together, encouraged creativity, and added a meaningful cultural element to an important community space in Clemmons.”

The mural was one of the first projects funded and completed through the Bingham Arts Grants, a new grant opportunity designed to bring vibrant arts and cultural experiences to Clemmons. The program is funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Fund of the Shallow Ford Foundation.

The Bingham Arts Grant builds on the success of the Bingham Arts Series, which for two years featured music and art events in the community. With the launch of the grant program, local nonprofit organizations are now leading their own arts and entertainment projects, creating opportunities for broader community involvement. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to initiatives that enrich community life, spark creativity, and contribute to the cultural vitality of Clemmons.

For Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, the mural was as much about the process as the finished artwork.

“Until you experience it for yourself, you cannot imagine the energy that happens when community members gather together and create a piece of public art.” said Sandra Kimzey Wimbish, Project Manager of the Clemmons Community Mural Project. “The same is true for those who painted for just a few minutes as it is for those who invested several hours on the mural walls—they were part of something bigger than themselves. As blank sections got blocked in with color, the picture started to emerge and the excitement was building. For years to come, these murals will be a visual reminder of when community came together to create a thing of beauty for the community.”

Associated Artists of Winston-Salem has been delighted to host this first ever community mural for Clemmons and to engage with over a hundred area residents who picked up a paint brush and joined in the fun.

Now complete, the murals will remain on display at the Jerry Long Family YMCA as a visible reminder of what can happen when art, philanthropy, and community come together.

Other projects funded by the Bingham Arts Grants include a colored pencil art class, a live music and cinema series at Tanglewood Park, free painting workshops, concerts, and more! For more information  about these grants, the Shallow Ford Foundation, and how to get involved, visit www.shallowfordfoundation.org.

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