What we’re all about
Beginning a public art project often brings up complex emotions—and questions: “How will we work with the artist? What if the art isn't exactly what we envisioned? Will the people in our community like it?"
The excitement and the fears that come with trying something new can be intense. We know how you feel. That’s why we’re here!
When you work with us to manage the project for you, you are committing to the vision of Do More Art: bringing an artist's vision to life in your space [on your wall, in your community] is no small task, and we take your trust seriously.
DMA’S MANIFESTO
At our core, our mission is simple: to Do. More. Art. We’re a team of travel journalists, photographers, content marketers, and anthropologists with a passion for seeking out and celebrating the world’s best murals and street art. From blighted areas in Rwanda to gentrified neighborhoods in Oklahoma City to small towns in rural Texas, we’ve made it our mission to promote public art and the individuals who create these mind-altering installations.
DMA was born through a desire to improve our environment and a commitment to capturing the industrious, creative spirit inherent in mankind. Our ethos includes voices in a consideration process that, while inclusive, demands a future that political and civil leadership currently doesn’t see. At the heart of our activities, we’re devoted to improving our communities through outside activations and art education in the pursuit of a prettier world.
You’re the project champion.
Your job is to raise the funds needed to green light the project and connect us with property owners willing to host an epic piece of original art.
We’re the curators.
Our job is to take care of every nitty gritty detail in the mural process from property owner agreements to artist contracts, wall prep to execution of the actual mural.
The artist is the visionary.
Their job is to conceptualize the unique, inspiring art, work with all of us to make it take flight, then install the final mural.
We believe…
in the power of public art to transform minds, instill hope in citizens, boost civic pride, and improve mental and emotional wellbeing.
We understand…
the best creativity comes from giving an artist the freedom to work. DMA welcomes all styles, concepts and interpretations, but does not support dictated art.
We know…
the presence of public art alone creates tourism, incites economic development and is the catalyst for transformation.
Mural FAQs: How it works
How much does a mural cost?
Well, that all depends on many variables: the size of the building, the condition it is and prep work required to get it to a manageable canvas for artists, the materials and equipment needed, and the complexity of the design. There are a lot of unknowns when tackling a mural project, so the best place to start is to send us a photo of the wall with rough dimensions, and we can price it out for you.
I want to paint a mural on my building, but it’s in a historic zone. Can I still do it?
Absolutely. Contrary to what some technocrats may tell you, Main Street America actually encourages you to keep up your building, and paint—even on brick—is a great way to maintain the integrity of a structure over time, in addition to the aesthetic benefits. Here are some other mural myths we’ve debunked in regards to the constitutionality of original art, historic zoning commissions and preservation, painting brick and other common questions we get from business owners in downtown corridors.
Can you paint a wings mural on my building?
Nope. Here’s why.
What we can do is commission a muralist to create an original piece of art on your building that will be far more interesting and compelling than a tired set of angel weeks.
DMA’s Board of Directors
DMA-Events incorporated in May 2018, then converted to a 501(c)(3) the following year. Our board comprises co-founders Kristin Luna and Scott van Velsor and applied anthropologist Emilie Hitch. Combined, we have more than 40 years’ worth of experience in branding, creative placemaking and community improvement work. We also regularly solicit input and assistance from our advisory council of small business owners, investors, leaders, and other community movers and shakers who help us in shaping the vision for each new project we tackle.
Meet Our Team
Kristin Luna, President
Kristin Luna is a journalist, photographer and storyteller with 20 years of publishing experience under her belt. She frequently writes national cover stories and other features about travel, food, public art, and entrepreneurship for publications like Parade and was a former in-house reporter and researcher at Newsweek, Time Inc., Wenner Media, Gannett and Conde Nast. A Tullahoma native always on the lookout for colorful murals, Kristin has traveled through all 50 states and more than 130 countries; written 15 guidebooks for major publishers; and contributed to more than 50 national titles, including Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, Southern Living, Real Simple and USA Today.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism and electronic media from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and also studied at Sewanee: The University of the South, University of Edinburgh, Hogeschool Utrecht in the Netherlands and the Danish School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark.
Kristin shares her adventures in globetrotting and mural-chasing via her award-winning blog, Camels & Chocolate (est. 2007). When she’s not on the road, she’s likely in search of her next favorite bourbon or doing AcroYoga, though not simultaneously.
Scott van Velsor, Vice-President
Scott van Velsor is co-founder of Odinn Media, a Tennessee-based creative micro-agency that has developed long-tail marketing initiatives for brands like the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to well-crafted writing, photography and video, Odinn Media leads workshops for state tourism departments, executes marketing projects and consults with hospitality- related industries in the region. Scott comes from a diverse background in journalism, contracting, electronics, events and public art.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Scott served overseas in Sicily for three years and also lived in Holland and Denmark; he’s traveled to more than 40 states and 70 countries. Following his time in the military, he was a commercial painter for 12 years and preps walls and surfaces for installations, in addition to facilitating personal connections with property owners to host a piece of publicly-available art.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Francisco State University. He also studied at Hogeschool Utrecht and the Danish School of Media and Journalism.
Emilie Hitch, Secretary
With an anthropologist’s mind and creative heart, Emilie Hitch is dedicated to social change. Based in Minneapolis, she brings a unique perspective and vision to the nonprofit through 20 years of work in rural areas consulting with farmer organizations and agriculture and food companies such as General Mills, Land O’Lakes, Purina, Pepsico, USAID, The Rockefeller Foundation and the United Soybean Board. Emilie is an established leader in social-impact innovation, ethnographic research, strategic planning and service design, and has worked with Human-Centered Design labs, consulting firms, and advertising agencies around the world.
A graduate of Yale, Emilie also holds graduate degrees in anthropology from the London School of Economics and in public affairs from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota. She attained certificates in leadership from the Climate Reality Leadership Corps and in permaculture design from the Practical Permaculture Institute.
She is a singer-songwriter with Wailing Loons, who has performed five consecutive years at Bonnaroo, and an active philanthropist, serving on the board of directors for Eat for Equity and the Quetico Superior Foundation.