Murals and artwork for schools and community environments.
Project Luma is the mural and public art practice of Lora Watts, a designer and artist who focuses on creating thoughtful, site-specific wall art that supports learning and community identity.
I work with schools and community groups to create murals that support learning and reflect the identity of the people who use the space.
Creating welcoming places
Project Luma murals are site-specific for elementary schools, middle schools, and shared community spaces.
Murals focus on developing a school's "visual culture" while highlighting positivity and values. Instead of focusing on just one wall, I take a holistic approach to the campus in order to create a more welcoming, cohesive environment.
Themes often grow out of curriculum, school values, or the need to make a space clearer, more welcoming, or easier to navigate.
Projects range from professionally-painted murals to designs created for volunteer or community-led installations, depending on budget and scope.
Schools are communities, and project starts with listening — to administrators, teachers, parents, and sometimes students. From there, I develop a visual plan that fits the space and the way it’s used.
Murals are designed to feel intentional and cohesive, and to allow for future additions so the artwork can grow over time rather than becoming a collection of one-off pieces.
I provide design, planning, and guidance throughout the process, whether the mural is painted by professionals or by volunteers.
I’ve taught for over 30 years. Never in that time has something I put on the wall had such a profound impact on my classroom culture. My students look to the Project Luma posters as inspiration and encouragement.
Gina B., retired teacher
Lora truly prioritizes how the mural will be made a reality into every step of her design process. She works with us early on to understand the school space, budget, and who the volunteers will be. She communicates often and works closely with us to make it as easy as possible.
Allison G., parent volunteer painter
As a previous teacher, principal, and superintendent, I have had the unique and fortunate opportunity to observe the incredible impact that Project Luma has had on numerous students within two school districts and four school sites. The beauty, creativity, color, and artistic flare of every Project Luma design has greatly enhanced the learning environment, warmth, and engagement of each school, resulting in great social-emotional growth for all.
Kathy M., former principal & superintendant
“They don’t let me fail.” “They tell me not to give up.” “If I try I might learn and get it right!” “They help me succeed.” “The bright colors get my attention. The dots and scribbles make the posters fun and interesting." “I like the wiggly words!”
Exact quotes from Mrs. B's students about the Growth Mindset posters
about Project Luma
Project Luma grew out of a background in art, graphic design, and city planning, with a focus today on murals and long-term visual planning for schools and community environments.
