SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – From June 1 to June 15, 2025, Missouri neighborhoods will once again become outdoor art galleries celebrating local talent, civic pride and neighborly connections.

“After a wildly successful debut last year, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is back and bigger than ever,” said David Burton, University of Missouri Extension community development specialist.

Burton urges residents across the state to register their projects now.

Organized by MU Extension, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week invites neighbors to create and display art outside their homes, businesses, community centers and shared spaces. Art projects can include anything from sidewalk chalk murals and yarn-bombed fences to handcrafted sculptures or front-lawn displays, Burton said.

The goal is to make creativity visible and bring neighbors together in fun, meaningful ways to increase their sense of belonging, he said.

Last year’s launch drew 73 registered sites, with projects ranging from murals and recycled art to community installations and kid-made masterpieces. More than 1,100 people voted online for the People’s Choice Award, and 75% of participants reported feeling more connected to their neighborhood because of the event.

“This event is proof that art can transform more than just walls; it can transform relationships,” Burton said. “When neighbors create together, they get to know each other better, take pride in their community and form bonds that last long after the paint dries.”

Participants can register individually or as teams and will be eligible for awards and recognition in categories such as “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice” along with winners in each of the seven MU Extension regions.

Organizers encourage projects that use recycled materials, promote accessibility and celebrate the unique identity of Missouri’s neighborhoods.

Last year’s award-winning projects included:

• A mural in Versailles City Park by students in Jennifer Avery’s class at Morgan County R-II School District.
• Handcrafted driveway flowers in Springfield by Robin Kastner.
• A striking mural on the Chamber of Commerce building in Union by Donna Huellinghoff and Eileen Wade.
• A painted rock creation called “Susie the Snake” started by Marj Locker in Ludlow and added to by residents.
• Donovan Maldonado’s fancy woman’s face mural on Stanford Street in Springfield.
• A “Sweet Gum Gardener” scarecrow by Dale Naas, St. Louis.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply want to bring color to your block, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is your chance to turn your street into a canvas and your neighbors into collaborators, Burton said.

Join the movement. Create something local. Inspire connection. Start today by registering at http://muext.us/SMNAW2025.