Andrews’ mural celebrates community, belonging and inclusivity
Eugene, Ore.– The Eugene Family YMCA invites the community to view a new mural by artist Jennifer Andrews celebrating what the Y stands for on the north side of its Don Stathos campus at 600 E. 24th Ave.
“Public art is a vital part of community spaces like ours, and we're fortunate to have several talented creators deeply connected with our Y community,” said YMCA CEO Brian Steffen. “Jennifer’s mural embodies the spirit of unity that defines the Y. We believe it will inspire joy for everyone who sees it, whether they’re passing by or stepping inside. We hope it also conveys the powerful message that our community’s beauty lies in its diversity.”
Muralist Jennifer Andrews, a lifelong artist, has designed and painted three groups of three 4-by-8-foot panels, which will soon be displayed under the exterior lights along 24th Avenue. Jennifer's artistic journey spans multiple mediums, from graphic design and painting to surface pattern design and printmaking. Her work has been featured on posters, stickers, greeting cards and even in a mural at the 5th Street Public Alley.
Jennifer’s mural for the Eugene Family YMCA reflects her unique artistic voice, which she describes as "a dance on paper"—an otherworldly, vibrant and stylized expression of her love for dance, nature and soul. Her mural beautifully aligns with the Y’s mission of inclusivity. The abstract shapes within her design come together to form a cohesive vision of unity, mirroring the way the YMCA brings people from diverse backgrounds together to form a community focused on health and youth development.
“The design represents diversity creating wholeness, with abstract shapes coming together to symbolize connection, active participation and growth,” Jennifer said. “I wanted the shapes to feel uplifting, evoke curiosity, movement, joy and enthusiasm, utilizing a rainbow of colors to represent inclusivity, and illustrating that we all come from the same Source. The mural reflects the YMCA’s mission of bringing people together, and it’s a celebration of all that we can achieve when we join forces as a community.”
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Jennifer has been a dedicated group fitness instructor at the Eugene Family YMCA since 2012. She currently teaches Fusion Fit, an energetic dance class, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her passion for movement and creativity is evident in both her art and fitness leadership.
“The opportunity to create a mural for the YMCA feels like a natural extension of my love for this community,” she said. “The Y is where I’ve poured my energy into fitness and movement for over a decade, and now I get to express that same passion through art. My goal was to capture the vibrant, inclusive spirit that the Y embodies, where everyone belongs.”
Jennifer is the sixth local artist to contribute to the Eugene YMCA’s public art endeavor. She joins the ranks of talented artists Esteban Camacho Steffensen, Liza Mana Burns, Ila Rose, Chelsea Lovejoy and Nick Brunick.
The Y invites all art enthusiasts to explore and appreciate these incredible works, now showcased both inside and outside the Y!
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About the Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages thousands of people regardless of age, gender, income or background—to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA has been serving Lane County since 1887.
