The Pool Mural Project
From a wall of harm to a wall of welcome
The Story Behind the Mural
After two separate incidents of hateful graffiti at the Wayland Community Pool, residents came together to listen, reflect and support one another. Those conversations inspired an idea: to transform the site into a public work of art that celebrates our differences and brings the community together.
Over the next year and a half, volunteers, students, local businesses, community organizations, and more than 100 individual donors joined forces to bring the vision to life. Designed and painted by Wayland native and muralist Lena McCarthy, the mural stands as a lasting reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together, and of the community we strive to be, where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.
Timeline
Wayland Community Pool Mural Initiative
From a Wall of Hate to a Public Artwork of Community Connection
After two incidents of hateful graffiti on the pool wall, in December 2022 and March 2025, community members came together to turn a place of harm into a visible expression of belonging.
March – April 2025 | Building the team
- A planning group assembles, including students, Wayland High School art teachers, community members, the high school principal, and a representative from the Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Wayland High School offers meeting space, and the group begins meeting regularly.
- The first community-wide survey launches to gather ideas and input for the mural. A little over 50 responses are received.
- Wayland Community Action Network (WaylandCAN) agrees to serve as fiscal sponsor.
- Professional muralist Lena McCarthy, a Wayland native and Wayland High School graduate, is identified as a potential artist and approached about the project. She initially declines.
December 2025 – February 2026 | Growing support
- WaylandCAN’s pre-holiday fundraising gala directs a portion of donations toward the mural project. ArtsWayland contributes artwork to the gala’s silent auction and joins the initiative.
- The Wayland Community Pool, WaylandCAN and ArtsWayland appoint representatives to the planning group, helping formalize the committee.
- The team reconnects with Lena, presenting the established committee, budget, community input, and clear project vision. Lena agrees to take on the project.
- Representatives from the faith community and people bringing additional demographic perspectives join the planning committee.
March – April 2026 | Funding & planning
- The team develops a project budget and launches a second community survey to broaden participation and gather additional ideas.
- The planning team synthesizes survey responses and identifies the community’s key themes and hopes for the mural.
- The team finalizes the budget and launches formal fundraising efforts, reaching out to local businesses, organizations, foundations, and individual community members.
- Donations begin coming in as fundraising and project planning continue.
May – August 2026 | Design & preparation
- The planning team receives the first round of designs from artist Lena McCarthy, and the design review begins.
- The team awaits completion of the pool’s major renovation so the exterior wall can be resided and prepared for painting.
- Lena delivers the second round of design work.
- Pool renovations and exterior siding work are completed, clearing the way for mural installation.
- Lena begins translating the community’s ideas, values, and hopes into a mural through her own artistic vision.
September 2026 | The mural comes to life
- Mural painting is completed, transforming the wall into a welcoming public artwork centered on connection, inclusion, belonging, and healing.
October 25, 2026 | The grand unveiling
- The official mural dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates the community’s collective response to hate through creativity, collaboration, and beauty.
About the Artist
Lena McCarthy
Lena McCarthy is an acclaimed contemporary artist and muralist known for large-scale, expressive public murals that bridge natural landscapes, human resilience, and civic community spaces. McCarthy has built a career creating public art that invites reflection and explores themes of healing, transformation, hope, and unity. Her return to Wayland to create the pool mural represents a particularly meaningful homecoming.
Spanning the exterior façade of the pool building, McCarthy’s dynamic composition integrates bold flora, a graceful heron, monarch butterflies, flowing natural waters, and vibrant geometric motifs. Inspired by the surrounding New England landscape, the artwork celebrates the natural beauty of the area and the connections that bring the community together.
See more of Lena’s workSupport the Mural
Help us close the gap and reach the finish line
The wall is painted, but we’re still raising the final funds to complete the project. Your gift helps pay for artist materials, wall preparation, lighting, installation, and long-term protection.
No amount is too small, every donation counts. Please consider joining this community-led initiative by offering your support!
Donations are collected through WaylandCAN’s secure Givebutter page.
Thank You
With Gratitude
The Wayland Community Pool Mural Initiative was made possible by the generosity of so many individuals, businesses, and organizations who believed in the power of community.
Every contribution, large or small, helped bring this vision to life. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave their time, resources, and support to transform a site marked by hate into a lasting work of public art that reflects our shared values of welcome, connection, and belonging.
This mural belongs to all of us. The names below honor the many people and organizations whose generosity made this possible. Thank you for being part of this effort and helping create a community where everyone is welcome and belongs.
With gratitude to all those in our community who supported this project and brought the mural to life:
The Many Generous Families from Wayland and Surrounding Communities
- Anti Defamation League New England
- Arte Salon and Spa
- Arts Wayland
- Congregation Or Atid
- Eliza J. Norton Foundation
- Graffito SP (Wayland Town Center)
- Lauren Dunne Astley Foundation
- Lynch Landscape
- Russell’s Charitable Foundation
- Temple Shir Tikva
- Village Bank
- Wayland Community Action Network (WaylandCAN)
- Wayland Community Pool
- Wayland Cultural Council
- Wayland High School Students and Staff
- Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
- Wayland PTO
- Weston Wayland Interfaith Action Group
- Yo Boca Taco