Mental Health Mural
+ Free art therapy activities!
“I sometimes see overly positive art and struggle to relate to it. Seeing something that you understand and can empathize with can help people realize they are not alone. It can encourage people to reach out and get help.” – Ella
Mural at 132 5th St NW, Canton, Ohio 44702
Our Story
7th-grade students from Crenshaw Middle School designed and produced a mental health mural to promote awareness and empathy in Downtown Canton. The students also used their individual mental health-themed artworks to create free art therapy resources for counselors and teachers at schools across Stark County.
In the Fall of 2025, working alongside muralist Kat Francis, the middle school artists (then in 8th grade) transformed their individual artworks into a collective mural depicting a phoenix rising from symbols of anxiety, depression, and grief. The design and symbolism were co-created by the muralist and students to represent their lived experiences. Located in Downtown Canton at 132 5th St NW (Canton, OH 44702), the mural conveys a message of hope for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. The team completed the mural in September 2025 and presented it during the 2025 ArtsinStark Mural Fest.
This project was led by a team of middle school students over two years through TomTod’s What If 101 class with Canton City Schools and TomTod’s idea mentoring club, What If You Could. Every aspect of the project—including idea generation, grant writing, artwork design, and project execution—was co-led by Canton City middle schoolers alongside adult mentors.
Free Art Therapy Activities
In the Spring of 2026, the team used their mental health-themed art to create art therapy activities for Stark County middle schools. These resources are able to be downloaded and shared for free right here!