Artist Adden Joule Davis reimagines Sheridan/Walker Garage mural with native flowers, pollinators and birds

November 3, 2025

A huge, 6,000 square-foot burst of color is nearing completion at the EMBARK Sheridan/Walker Garage. The new mural, titled A Symphony in Bloom by Denver-based artist Adden Joule Davis, will feature large, vibrant depictions of Native Oklahoma flora.

Davis found the inspiration for his piece during an Oklahoma City visit after spending time at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. His concept, chosen by the mural review committee, showcases the landmarks and ecosystems surrounding the parking garage and the City of Oklahoma City.

Davis’s new work is a replacement for the previous deteriorated mural. The City of Oklahoma City received sixty-four submissions following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) earlier this year. A selection committee chose three finalists to create conceptual designs, ultimately selecting Davis, a muralist and digital designer with work displayed throughout the world.

“About eight years ago we went through a selection process for an artist to create a mural that would add beauty and art to the raw concrete wall of the Sheridan/Walker Garage. Because that mural began to peel and the previous artist was not available to repair it, we went through a similar process to select a new muralist,” said Barney Semtner, COPTA Chairperson and member of the selection committee. “I’m enthusiastic about this new mural, which will add color and make our downtown area an even more lively place. The artist has taken additional steps to preserve the mural so we can have it for years to come.”

“This mural is inspired by my first visit to Oklahoma City. I spent the afternoon at the Myriad Botanical Gardens and shot photos of the flowers that I’m now using in the mural,” Davis said. “I wanted the work to be rooted in its location in the city as well as the native flora of Oklahoma.”

Davis added that he used some of the color palette of John Rex Elementary School, located in the area, to further tie in his art with the area.

“I want the mural to appeal to young people, so I’ve added some whimsical elements, such as butterflies and even a robin,” he said.

To complete the work on the 6,000 square-foot surface, Davis used 30 gallons of concrete primer, 20 gallons of exterior latex and 1,000 cans of spray paint.

“This mural has some of the largest flowers I’ve ever painted, including Indian paintbrushes, roses, tulips and dahlias,” he said. “I used a projector on one scissor lift to project each block section one at a time.”

The mural is the first mural Davis has created in Oklahoma after nearly ten years of national and international work.

“I’ve been a finalist for two other projects in Oklahoma City, so winning this project is special to me,” he said. “Creating art in municipal areas, adding color and weirdness to a rigid space and bringing new life to a part of town is a very meaningful part of the work I do.”

View images of the new mural here: Sheridan/Walker Garage Images