Arts & Entertainment

Local Artist to Paint Walls, Inspire Residents at Women's Shelter

Melinda Byrd will take on the task of lifting spirits with her wall murals at the women's shelter.

Melinda Byrd has put her artistic mark on many things—walls, glassware, fabric, floors. But on Friday, Sept. 9, she will use her art to make a mark not only on the walls of the women's shelter but likely on the women and children who stay there.

Byrd said that she was asked by friends at Human Services Programs (HSP) to paint some murals in the women's shelter in Westminster.

"There's a shelter that has very plain beige walls, and lots of them," Byrd said. "It was their idea to see what I could do to bring the walls to life, to make it more homey, more comfortable and maybe more inspiring for the people who live there."

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Byrd said she has been looking for quotes to put on the walls, but other than that has no real blueprint for the murals.

"I'm just going to do a little bit in one room and then another and see how far I can get each week and see where it goes," Byrd said. "There might be other artists who might want to get involved and put their touch on it." 

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Corina Canon, associate director of housing services for Human Services Programs, said she is very excited to have an artist adding life to the walls of the shelter.

"We really want to make it feel bright and happy," Canon said. "There are a lot of beige walls that have nothing on them—no pictures, no artwork—and it feels a little institutional."

The women's shelter provides temporary housing for women 18 and over and their children, according to the HSP website.

"We want people to feel like this is a good place to be," Canon said. "This is a home away from home and we are trying to make it more pleasant for the people staying here."

Patch will share pictures of Byrd's progress as she makes her mark on the walls of the shelter.


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