WNBA x Maybelline Court Mural Designs

In collaboration with WNBA, Maybelline, and Buckets & Borders, Erika is honoured to have been the featured artist to illustrate 3 large murals and 4 backboards for the entire basketball court of Oakdale Community Centre. This is part of a refurbishment project in the centre to promote youth programming, especially with young girls, in basketball.

ABOUT THE DESIGN: The design has two “main” murals that were intentionally illustrated to look similar than different - to encourage viewers to stop and look closely. One mural begins with a child looking up, as if admiring the ballers before them, as if dreaming to be like them. This is called “There Are No Limits in the Sky” because the next generation is watching us. So we have to continue inspiring, encouraging, supporting them to reach beyond their potential. The second begins with ballers playing together towards a child at the very end, who has their arms raised in the air - as if celebrating. This is called “This Is For Them… For YOU” - because we’re reminded that all the work we do to make this world a better place, especially in sport, is FOR our youth. For the next generation.

THE DEEPER MEANING: Research shows that young people, especially young girls, experience better outcomes when participating in sports: from mental and physical health to learning crucial social skills and reducing likelihood of being involved in violence. Refurbishing a basketball court into a beautiful, functional, safe, welcoming space with designs that young people can see themselves in is just ONE step towards addressing these needs.

NOTABLE MEDIA FEATURES: Featured on Global News, CBC Toronto, and SportsNet.

Photography & Videography credits: @bucketsandborders