NASHVILLE, TN – Internationally renowned muralist Kyle Holbrook will unveil four powerful, collaborative murals during the Urban Collaborative National Conference on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10 AM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nashville Downtown, located at 315 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219. This event is free and open to the public and press, with live painting and a special unveiling ceremony on the entire ballroom level of the hotel.

These murals represent a historic collaboration of over 500 educators from 105 school districts across the United States, including special education directors, superintendents, psychologists, curriculum designers, and students. Each mural will become a permanent symbol of unity, inclusion, and educational resilience in the face of national budget cuts and systemic challenges.

This mural prominently features Diane Nash, the legendary civil rights activist and student leader who spearheaded Nashville’s successful lunch counter sit-ins. She is depicted alongside a student in a wheelchair and a student with severe disabilities, set against the Nashville skyline and iconic bridge—a symbol of connection and unity. Holbrook’s “Connecting Figures”, a recurring theme across his international works, bring additional layers of symbolism and movement.

Mural Distribution & Purpose:

One mural will be permanently installed at the Nashville Board of Education.

One will be displayed at the Urban Collaborative corporate offices at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

One will be auctioned to raise funds for future Urban Collaborative events and initiatives.

One will be donated to the Los Angeles County Board of Education and its Special Education Services as a national show of support following the devastating fires of January 2025.

The theme of this year’s conference, “In Crisis is Great Opportunity,” directly responds to the impacts of federal education cuts under the Trump administration. The murals were born from a unique underpainting process led by Holbrook, where hundreds of educational leaders and Nashville-area students wrote messages, reflections, and strategies for providing inclusive, high-quality education despite shrinking resources.

“Each mural captures the spirit and the solutions of those on the front lines of special education,” said Kyle Holbrook, who has completed murals in 49 U.S. states and 43 countries, including recent peace murals for the 2024 Olympics in Paris and two anti-gun violence murals in Nashville in 2021. “Even after my final designs are added, the words and voices of these educators and students will remain visible—just like their impact.”

The event offers a rare opportunity for the public and press to witness live community-based mural art and to hear from educational innovators from across the nation. Media are encouraged to attend and interview Holbrook and participating educators. Photos and video are welcome.