41×17’ exterior mural designed for the facade of The Newberry Building on Harrison Avenue in Downtown Panama City. Installed in Winter 2026.

When Kevin Wattenbarger approached me to refresh the front of this building with new signage, I couldn’t help but dream a little bigger once I heard the history of this building!

The first business housed in this space was Newberry Optical, Panama City’s first-ever optical shop, headed by Dr. Grant T. Newberry. Countless folks stopped by to share stories of Dr. Grant while I was installing this mural, many recounting his kind nature and memorable experiences buying their first pair of glasses here.

In this grid-based design, I aimed to honor Dr. Grant’s contributions alongside other iconic locations, technologies, and natural elements that have shaped Panama City's history. The lettering seen throughout this mural was drawn from a 1930s sign-painting book, and the color palette was kept largely tonal to emulate black-and-white photography (but brought to life in bold new color!) I chose these warm yellows, ocean blues, and sunset reds to give the mural a nostalgic, postcard-like feel, and incorporated the lettering “Welcome to Downtown Panama City” to present this piece as both a celebration of our past and a warm invitation to the bustling Downtown of the present.