Event2Connect

May 15, 2026 at Walkie Talkie Espresso & Coffee

Mila, Willow, and their friends at school felt like they were connected to each other through arts at school, but they wanted to bring that connection to like-minded adults in the real world.

Local professionals with careers in the arts came out to support Mila and Willow, and to bring a sample of their work with them for event attendees to enjoy. Partners included a local artist named Ethan that designed and led the community mural in the Walkie Talkie parking lot, a local musician named Zach offered mini guitar lessons, a local tattoo artist named Matt offered temporary tattoos, a local DJ named Charlee Parker played a live set, a local baker named Alsey baked special pastries for the event, Lindsey from Walkie Talkie lent us the coffee shop for the evening, and dozens of other community members showed up to support the event.

About the mural: The concept for the mural was entirely Mila and Willow’s idea. Hands holding coffee cups with inspirational messages, like the ones baristas often write on coffee cups, but with a common theme: unity and togetherness. Art and coffee alike bring people together, and you can find community in both. The coffee cups were an homage to Walkie Talkie for graciously letting these incredible middle schoolers create art on their retaining wall in their parking lot, with messages sparking inspiration, community, and inclusion– values near and dear to Mila, Willow, and the art community as a whole.