In Florence by Michelangelo, in Rome by Raphael, in Mexico by Diego Rivera, and in little towns and villages all over the globe are some of the world’s most beautiful murals.

The art form has been around since prehistoric times: storytelling, beautifying, inspiring with images as unique as the people who create them. Soon, right here in Maynard, artists Ellen and Andrew Emerson will add their unique interpretation of that ancient art to the pantheon of works — great and small — that adorn public spaces worldwide.

Two creative souls bound by a shared spark of imagination are creating a mural this summer on the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre building. The Maynard couple met while working at Wayfair, creating 3D images. They’ve been creative partners ever since, building on each other’s ideas and individual strengths.

“We are both, … idea people,” says Ellen. “We both have a million ideas and a million projects we want to start at any given time. What we can say is that when we really tackle something as a team, we work beautifully together. One of us will have the energy to get it going, then the other takes the baton, and then back again. It is a genuine back and forth, and it works for us.”

Simpatico.

They honed their artistry in college: Andrew studied Studio Art and Architectural Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Ellen majored in Business Marketing at Northeastern University with a minor in Design.

Andrew currently works for Arteriors, a company specializing in faux finishing, Venetian plaster and custom murals. He was a team member on an Arteriors project — a 200-foot mural featuring a woman’s face blowing into the wind — that now graces the side of a building on Route 9 in Framingham. His experience on that project gave him the knowledge and tools needed to embark on this kind of work in Maynard.

Inspiration for the upcoming work has several origins. Andrew is among the many generations of people with happy childhood memories of going to Fine Arts Theatre. When he heard it might be a site for a mural, he wasted no time throwing his hat into the ring.

Local artist Andy Moerlein, already familiar with some of Andrew’s work, encouraged him to apply to local Cultural Councils for funding. Now, “Heart on the River” will adorn the Fine Arts Theatre with images that reflect the spirit of community and camaraderie unique to the town.

“This mural is at the heart of our mission to support local artists and art in all its forms,” said Nan Krueger, chair of the Maynard Cultural Council, which contributed funds to the project. “The fact that this work will enhance a public space in Downtown Maynard makes it an especially satisfying project. We are delighted to be able to support it and can’t wait to see the finished work.”

“The theme came straight from our experience living here in Maynard,” said Andrew. “What makes this town so special, especially in 2026, is that it is still a place where kids will bike to the river after school with fishing poles in their backpacks, which you do not always see anymore.”

He noted that additional inspiration comes from the couple’s visits to Atlanta, “where we spend time with family, and where public art has genuinely transformed neighborhoods, making the city feel alive, fresh and confident. We would love to help do that here.”

“Heart on the River” features kids fishing and cyclists, and images of the everyday life of Maynard — a place the artists find beautiful and worth celebrating. It’s their first independent mural commission, and they’ve set out to make it a community experience. Volunteers of all ages, from local school groups to seniors, will paint alongside them between June 1 and June 14.

“We are also so proud to be working with Pierce Rafter, a local Maynard student joining us as an apprentice artist,” Ellen added. “Pierce is currently installing his very first mural at Maynard High School, and we think that says everything about the kind of creative energy this town is fostering.”

Ellen and Andrew are members of ArtSpace Maynard and feel supported by their mentors at Maynard as a Canvas. They join a shared vision of murals bringing color and joy to the town as it continues to grow and evolve.

Their creative energy extends beyond this project. They host regular paint nights in town and partner with restaurants, designers, architects, interior designers and event planners to create custom designs that enhance experiences and spaces.

Readers interested in volunteering can reach out to Ellen and Andrew directly at [email protected].

“We hope to see the whole town at the celebration on June 23,” Ellen said. “This is more than a mural — it is a celebration of who we are as a town.”

“Heart on the River” is funded by the Maynard Cultural District, the Maynard Cultural Council and the Concord District Council.