Eco Mural 1: Kauai Coral Reef Life
Location: One Stop Deli, 4831 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Artist: Designed, illustrated, and painted by Hagopian Arts​
The Nurseries of the Ocean
Coral reefs are environmentally invaluable: they contain more species per unit of area than any other ecosystem on earth. Stony corals lay the foundation for large reefs: their polyps produce a calcium carbonate exoskeleton that attaches to rocky outcrops around continental shelves, maintaining the shape of our shores. Corals grow into ornate colonies comprised of a hierarchy of organisms that interact through symbiotic relationships. Corals are the nurseries of our oceans: one-quarter of the world’s fish develop and hatch in the safety of reefs. Reefs are home to some of the world’s most colorful, striking, and complex animals on earth, drawing billions of dollars annually through tourism. Coral reefs only make up about 1% of our ocean’s floors, but they are home to a remarkable 25% of all marine life.
Coral and Marine Ecosystems
The incredible diversity of life in coral reefs relies on a delicate balance of environmental conditions. Human interference has caused massive damage to reefs through pollution, tourism, and destructive fishing practices, but the most pressing issue facing reef communities today is climate change. Corals rely on a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae in order to survive: these algae live in and on the coral polyps, converting sunshine into nutrients. When water temperatures rise, corals reject their symbionts, leaving dying polyps that appear translucent and white. This process is referred to as coral bleaching and is the most direct cause of reef death. Many reefs boast nearly ten thousand years of growth but can be lost in mere months: a recent study states that since 2016, over 60% of the Great Barrier Reef has been irreversibly bleached, and nearly 90% has been damaged or completely deteriorated.
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When corals experience large-scale die-offs, entire marine ecosystems begin to collapse around them. Without nurseries, many of the fish we eat have no place for their young to develop, and their numbers fall dramatically. The diverse communities that live in and around corals disappear and many species that are coral specialists go extinct. Eventually, coral exoskeletons decay and erode, leaving our coastlines more vulnerable to extreme weather events. The need to preserve coral reefs is becoming increasingly clear.
Restoration and Preservation
Preservation efforts are taking place across the globe to help offset coral reef degradation. The Nature Conservancy is leading an initiative to triple the coverage of marine habitats by 2020 through cooperation with nearly a dozen governments in the Caribbean. Other organizations have set up offshore coral nurseries, attempting to replenish coral stocks locally. While coral restoration is a slow process, a multifaceted approach can produce wonderful effects: many other movements involved with spreading awareness of responsible boating and fishing practices can also help decrease and offset the human impact on degradation.
The goal behind this project is based on our belief that protecting coral reefs starts with an effort to place these issues at the center of public education. Coral reefs display a beautiful example of the interdependence of life, how species adapt to live for the benefit of one another, and how we as humans must acknowledge our role in this web in order to sustain its longevity.
About the Eco Mural and Wild Medicine Projects
The Eco Mural Project by Hagopian Arts is an ongoing series of public art installations designed to educate and inspire action on ecological and cultural issues. Each mural is a meticulously detailed, one-of-a-kind piece, blending vibrant artistry with rigorous research. These murals transport viewers into immersive natural environments, revitalizing urban spaces while addressing pressing concerns about environmental degradation.
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Within this initiative, the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project focuses specifically on the cultural heritage of medicinal plants. Through detailed depictions and thoughtful programming, the series highlights the historical, cultural, and healing significance of plants, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the natural world.
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The Eco Mural Project is rooted in the belief that reconnecting communities with nature can profoundly impact mental and physical health. These murals showcase the beauty of local flora and fauna, enlivening public spaces and encouraging residents to see their environment in a new light. This engagement inspires a sense of pride, belonging, and collective responsibility for the natural world. To enhance accessibility, each mural includes a scannable QR code linking viewers to a webpage that provides detailed information about the artwork, the plants featured, and their historical and cultural significance. These pages also honor Indigenous histories by sharing the uses, markers, and cultural associations of the depicted flora and fauna.
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Community-Driven Programming and Collaborations
Hagopian Arts amplifies the impact of its murals through live events, educational initiatives, and community partnerships that engage people across generations and cultures.
Honoring Indigenous Histories and Local Ecosystems
A standout project in the Wild Medicine Series is Eco Mural 21 at Bartram’s Garden, a series of freestanding mini murals showcasing medicinal plants historically used by the Lenni Lenape people. Designed with community input, the murals feature local flora, Lenape beadwork patterns, and depictions of children on the riverbank where passionflowers grow.
Hagopian Arts conducted extensive research into Bartram’s Garden’s historical catalog to honor the Lenape people’s contributions and highlight the cultural significance of the plants. At the unveiling event on September 15th, Melaney Gilchrist, a West Philadelphia herbalist, and mindfulness yoga practitioner Nakesha Moore of Breathe Moore led workshops for community families. These sessions explored the medicinal properties of the plants while fostering connections between art, history, and wellness practices.
Through its murals and programming, Hagopian Arts creates vibrant spaces for education, inspiration, and dialogue. The Eco Mural Project bridges art and environmental advocacy, encouraging communities to cherish their local ecosystems and honor the cultural and historical ties that bind them to the natural world.
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Wild Medicine: A Multidimensional Creative Experience
This live event combined public art, botanical installations, body-painted models, and performance art to merge the worlds of creativity and herbal wisdom. Hosted in collaboration with women artists, herbalists, and grassroots organizers, the event invited participants to explore the healing connections between art and nature.
Ancient Ancestral Connections
Eco Mural 18: Women’s Wild Medicine celebrates the ancestral bond between women and medicinal plants, featuring women from diverse cultural backgrounds alongside flora from their heritage. Installed at Penn OB/GYN, the mural also serves as a pilot for the Women’s Wild Medicine Initiative, a community-driven effort that highlights the healing power of native plants and their historical ties to women.
Wild Medicine Coloring Journal and Foraging Guide
In collaboration with educator and illustrator Katie Lillard, Hagopian Arts produced the Wild Medicine Journal and Coloring Illustration Booklet, inspired by the two murals created for Wild Medicine Eco Mural 15: Mugwort, Mullein, and Mallow. The booklet features twenty medicinal plants rendered in Hagopian Arts’ signature style, blending pattern, naturalism, and realism.
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Hagopian Arts distributed the journal and accompanying foraging guides to schools and community organizations to introduce youth aged 3-18 to ecological awareness in both traditional and nontraditional learning settings. These resources were also shared during a mural unveiling, empowering community members to safely connect with wild plants and explore their uses in daily life.
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Highlighting Interconnectivity: Eco Mural 20
As part of the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project, Hagopian Arts created Eco Mural 20: Artelo to celebrate the interdependent relationships between plants, pollinators, and human communities. This mural was a collaborative effort with Square Roots Collective and 14 other public artists contributing uniquely to the Artelo hotel project. While each artist brought a distinct vision to the hotel’s art-filled rooms, Hagopian Arts focused on the ecological and cultural themes central to the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project.
To expand its reach, Hagopian Arts hosted interactive workshops that engaged community members in the creative process: At Hyacinth Montessori School in West Philadelphia, children aged 6–12 participated in a painting workshop, learning about local flora and pollinators while contributing sections to the mural. This activity incorporated yoga and mindfulness practices led by Breathe Moore, blending creativity and well-being.
At John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, community members painted portions of the mural while learning about the featured species and their roles in local ecosystems.
In September 2024, Hagopian Arts partnered with the Kennett Trails Alliance and Artelo for a public mural painting event during the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Kennett Square. Using a paint-by-number system and hand-mixed colors, participants painted sections inspired by the flora, fauna, and geometric patterns of Eco Mural 20. The mural, once finalized by Hagopian Arts, will be installed in Kennett Square in 2025, further expanding its impact and reach.
Hagopian Arts transforms urban landscapes through art that bridges the worlds of ecology, education, and cultural heritage. Each mural is a portal into the hidden wonders of the natural world. By blending intricate artistry with educational outreach, Hagopian Arts inspires communities to rediscover the beauty and importance of the environment they call home.
Related Projects
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Partnership Links:
One Stop Deli - Philadelphia
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Learn More & Get Involved:
Coral Reef Alliance​​
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program​
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)​
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