TreeTown Murals (TTM) is a partnership between artists Mary Thiefels and Danijel Matanic, two painters who bring together rich creativity and unique collaborative experiences. Over the years, they have worked on many larger community and private mural initiatives, often involving community participation. TTM works hard to include individuals in the mural-making process by incorporating their insights and direction and by creating events that invite individuals, school students, families, business enterprises, and community stakeholders to “make their mark” in unique ways. Participants have stated they feel pride and joy in helping to shape a community landmark that will stay in the public trust for years.

As TreeTown Murals continue to grow and evolve, so do the murals themselves. Each project is more sophisticated than the last, and the opportunities to educate and engage the community are becoming more diverse. In addition to creating public art for the community, TTM collaborates with businesses to develop branding, storefront signage, and unique window art through its sister company, the BrushMonkeys.

Today, Mary and Danijel are expanding the company’s mission and vision. They aim to develop projects that engage a wider range of demographic groups, expand their work to larger, more impactful locations, and take their ideas, skills, and collaborative efforts to the global stage.

In the summer of 1998, Mary Thiefels became involved in mural painting when she and a group of friends advocated for murals on the downtown railroad underpasses in Ann Arbor, years later, after reflecting on the installation of eight murals by six local artists that summer, Mary recognized the significant impact they had on the Ann Arbor community. She also realized the broader influence that public murals were having around the world.

The murals in the underpass catalyzed something even more impactful. Over the years, many emerging youth artists, including some who have been court-involved, have had the opportunity to participate in a public mural art project for their community. Workshops held in partnership with Neutral Zone, the Ann Arbor Art Center, and the Washtenaw County Public Schools guided students through the entire process, from surveying residents to gathering ideas for themes, securing funding, designing, promoting, planning, and implementing the projects. These experiences have had a lasting impact on these young individuals, providing them with an effective and inspiring way to engage with their community. It was through these teaching experiences and community projects that Mary discovered her passion for public mural art as a career. This led her to establish TreeTown Murals in the summer of 2007.