Behind the Scenes of Trefoil Trail: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About My 2026 FIFA World Cup Mural

When people walk across Trefoil Trail, they usually stop to admire the vibrant colors, the movement, and the joy woven throughout the artwork. They take pictures, point out their favorite sections, and continue on their way.

But every time I cross that bridge, I see something entirely different.

I see the people who poured their hearts into this project. I remember the early mornings before the city woke up, the late nights when we painted until we could barely see, the weather that constantly tested us, and the community that never stopped believing in the vision. Creating one of the largest public art installations celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup wasn't simply about painting a mural—it was about bringing people together to create something that will outlive all of us.

Here are ten stories that most people don't know about Trefoil Trail.

1. More Than 200 Gallons of Paint Helped Bring My Vision to Life

One of the questions I get asked the most is, "How much paint did this take?"

The answer is more than 200 gallons, but the paint itself is only part of the story.

One of the greatest blessings throughout this project was partnering with Glidden Paint and The Home Depot. They didn't simply sponsor the paint—they became true partners in bringing this vision to life. Together, they custom-created colors specifically for my artwork, making sure every shade stayed true to my signature style, even at a monumental scale.

Whenever our team started running low, they hand-delivered fresh gallons directly to the bridge so we never lost momentum. Even more meaningful, associates from Home Depot volunteered their own time to come out, grab a roller, and help paint alongside us.

That level of support reminded me that this mural wasn't just mine anymore. It had become a community effort.

2. We Had Just Over One Month to Complete More Than 10,000 Square Feet

People often assume a mural this size takes six months or even a year to complete.

In reality, our timeline was incredibly ambitious.

From March 9 through April 11, our team transformed more than 10,000 square feet of concrete into a colorful celebration of soccer, culture, and Atlanta's role on the world stage.

Every day mattered. There wasn't much room for delays because we were working toward a ribbon-cutting that couldn't be moved. Every brushstroke, every meeting, every delivery, and every decision had to happen with intention.

Looking back now, I'm amazed at everything we accomplished in just over a month.

3. This Project Represents More Than 400 Hours of Work

People see the finished mural, but they don't always realize how much happens before the first coat of paint ever touches the wall.

Trefoil Trail represents well over 400 hours of creative work, planning, leadership, coordination, and execution. There were design revisions, material sourcing, volunteer schedules, community events, interviews, site visits, and countless decisions happening behind the scenes every single day.

Public art isn't just about being an artist.

It's about becoming a project manager, creative director, logistics coordinator, and problem solver, all at the same time.

4. It Truly Took a Village

Although I served as the lead artist and creative visionary behind Trefoil Trail, this mural became what it is because so many talented people believed in the vision.

I commissioned three professional artists to help execute some of the more intricate painted details throughout the bridge. We welcomed numerous volunteers from the community who generously gave their time, and to help us meet our aggressive timeline, I hired two professional paint crews to complete the large wall near the IKEA side of the bridge. Another incredible installation team helped bring my companion mural, Blooming Beyond, to life near Bishop Street.

Every person who touched this project added something meaningful, and I couldn't be more grateful.

5. More Than 200 Girl Scouts Became Public Artists

Without question, one of the most memorable days of the project was welcoming more than 200 Girl Scouts to help paint the mural.

Watching those young girls confidently pick up paintbrushes and realize they were contributing to a permanent piece of Atlanta's history was something I'll never forget.

At the end of the experience, each Girl Scout earned a commemorative patch recognizing her contribution. Long after the World Cup is over, they'll be able to proudly say they helped create artwork on the longest pedestrian bridge in the Southeast.

To me, that's what public art is all about.

6. The Mural Celebrates the Entire World

Because the FIFA World Cup brings together nations from across the globe, I wanted the artwork to reflect that same spirit of unity.

Throughout Trefoil Trail, you'll find vinyl flags representing all 48 participating countries, woven throughout the installation as a celebration of the world's biggest sporting event.

If you look even closer, you'll discover more than 100 hand-painted soccer balls incorporated throughout the design. Each one adds another layer of movement and storytelling while reinforcing the excitement and global energy that the FIFA World Cup brings to Atlanta.

7. The Longest Day Lasted More Than 14 Hours

As our deadline grew closer, so did the workdays. There was one day in particular where our team painted for more than 14 straight hours.

By that point, nobody was paying attention to the clock anymore. We were focused on finishing one more section, cleaning one more edge, and making sure every detail reflected the level of excellence we wanted the city to experience.

Those long days eventually became beautiful memories.

8. Georgia Weather Was Our Toughest Opponent

If you've ever worked outside in Georgia, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The weather challenged us almost every step of the way.

Rain delays, humidity, changing temperatures, and unpredictable storms constantly forced us to rethink schedules and adapt on the fly. There were days we painted and days we simply waited for Mother Nature to cooperate.

The mural taught me that sometimes resilience is just as important as creativity.

9. My Favorite Part Isn't the Biggest or the Boldest

People always ask me which section of the mural is my favorite. Ironically, it's the very first square we painted. It wasn't the most detailed section, but it represented possibility.

That first completed section gave me confidence that the vision I had carried in my heart for months could actually become reality. Every section that followed was built on the hope that first square gave me.

Sometimes the beginning really is the most beautiful part.

10. The Greatest Reward Was Seeing the Community Become Part of the Story

As grateful as I am for the media coverage, the recognition, and the opportunity to create one of the largest public art installations in Atlanta, my greatest reward wasn't any headline.

It was watching children, families, volunteers, corporate partners, and complete strangers become part of something bigger than themselves.

Trefoil Trail isn't simply my mural.

It belongs to every Girl Scout who painted, every volunteer who showed up, every artist who helped, every Home Depot associate who rolled paint, every partner who believed in the vision, and every person who now walks across that bridge and smiles.

That's the true legacy of public art.

A Legacy That Will Live Long After the Final Whistle

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will eventually come to an end, but I hope Trefoil Trail continues telling a story for generations to come.

It's a story about what happens when art, community, culture, and collaboration meet with purpose.

Every brushstroke represents someone who believed.  Every color represents possibility. And every person who walks across that bridge becomes part of the story, too.

For that, I will always be grateful.