Apartments Apart | Judy J. Beasley | March 31, 2022
A growing sidewalk mural in solidarity with Ukraine is being painted in Wynwood – and its creators are encouraging people to participate.
The Miami Residents’ Solidarity Demonstration for All of Ukraine is located at the corner of 36th and 5th Northwest.
The project is called the Way of Peace. It all started with a small mural on the sidewalk depicting a Ukrainian flag.
Nina Chepovska painted it on a recent trip to Miami after booking an Airbnb Experience to paint on this sidewalk in Wynwood.
“I did it on a whim – I thought it would be a good way to experience Miami,” Chepovska said.
At first she did not know what to paint.
“When I showed up for the experience, I realized I should have thought about it before,” she said. “The first thing that came to my mind was that I should paint the Ukrainian flag.”
Chepovska’s grandparents are trapped in an occupied region of Ukraine that was captured by Russian separatists in 2014. She last saw them in 2012. She was able to raise around $13,000 on a Gofundme page for His grand-parents.
“It was heartbreaking to say the least,” Chepovska said.
Well-known artist Kyle Holbrook, who hosted the Airbnb Experience, was so touched by her story that he worked with Pinnacle Housing Group to secure the entire sidewalk to be dedicated to Ukraine.
“So we’re able to do this whole bloc and make a statement together for peace in Ukraine here in Miami,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook says there’s about 1,000 square feet of space to paint. He has already contributed a peace sign and a white dove.
Now it opens the Airbnb experience – at cost – so anyone in Miami can come and participate.
