The Healing Power of Art & Community with Gurls Talk x Groundswell
To raise awareness around mental health and World Mental Health Day, Gurls Talk and Groundswell partnered with Colossal Media to bring a hand-painted mural to Williamsburg with art by Lina Montoya. To mark the day, Groundswell, Gurls Talk, and Colossal Media hosted a ribbon-cutting at the mural at 32 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY, with Councilmember Lincoln Restler attending the painted unveiling.
At the heart of Gurls Talk’s mission is the belief that art can heal, offering a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, especially when words fall short.
The final design of the mural, created collaboratively by the girls in the Gurls Talk and Groundswell communities, symbolizes the healing power of connection. It reflects the deep need we all have to be there for one another, to listen, understand, and provide support in moments of vulnerability, ultimately capturing the essence of relying on your tribe.
The team at Colossal Media brought this mural to life as part of its social responsibility initiative, Start Today. The Gurls Talk x Groundswell “Strength in Community” mural shines brightly, reminding us all of the healing power of art and the importance of reaching out for help.
“This mural reflects the importance of supporting the mental health of girls and the power of being there for one another. It shows how, through community and shared understanding, we can create spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and supported. Art gives us a way to connect and remind each other that none of us are alone in facing challenges—it’s about showing up and listening when it matters most.”
“Painting this mural symbolizing the strength we all have in the community has been an inspiring project for our Colossal team. We’re grateful for organizations like Gurls Talk that provide safe spaces and resources to young women and girls to navigate mental health challenges – and organizations like Groundswell that act as a daily reminder of the power of murals to engage young people in community.”
A special thanks to the Colossal team members who worked on this project: Janine Taylor, Giles Kelsch, Vanessa Kreytak, Jewel Addy, Lara Burns, Katie Danforth, Seiya Jewell, Mallory Smith, Sean Lamble, Hartwick Hanson, John Samels, Thorsten Roth, Jon Airis, Nicholas Cummins, and all the members of our production team and the Start Today committee.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners at Groundswell and Gurls Talk for making this project possible, including Gurls Talk Program Manager Chaveli De Leon and Photographer Isabella Picicci, Groundswell Communications Specialist Claudine DeSola, and artist Lina Montoya.
