Free to FLY: Painting a Vision of Hope
FLY’s First Mural in Downtown San Jose
We are excited to share that FLY Youth painted a mural of hope, representing youth justice and freedom in downtown San Jose! At FLY, we believe in the power of storytelling—not just through words, but through art. Art has the ability to capture emotions, spark dialogue, and inspire change. That’s why we are beyond thrilled to share the story of our first-ever FLY mural, a powerful symbol of hope, now standing proudly in downtown San Jose located at: 50 Fountain Alley
This community-driven project came to life through a partnership between FLY and Wisper Talamantes, Artist, and Mentor from Together We Create, a Bay Area Artist Collective, with generous support from 1 Culture, who provided the perfect wall to bring our vision to reality.
For years, we’ve dreamed of having a FLY mural—one that represents the young people we serve, their strength, and the transformation that is possible when they are given the support and opportunities they deserve. This mural is more than just paint on a wall; it is a reflection of our youth’s journeys, their struggles, and their triumphs. It’s also a bold statement that justice reform, healing, and empowerment belong in the heart of our communities.
A Collaborative Effort
To create this mural, we partnered with FLY youth who volunteered to participate in collaboration with Wisper Talamantes, an artist from Together We Create, who helped to lead them through the creative process on a design that represented FLY. During the design process youth used their creativity to bring meaningful emotions to life through art. Each component of the design is a symbol. The tagline is “Free to FLY,” and the mural consists of a youth breaking free and walking toward their own path to the future—a future that is whatever they choose. The world and sky in the mural represent the universe of possibilities that are out there when you are– Free to FLY.
Once we had a design, we joined up for a community paint day with FLY youth and staff coming together. Later, we had a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members from across the FLY community who came out to participate and enjoy paletas together! Check out this highlight video of the event!
Each stroke of paint tells a story. Vibrant colors symbolize hope, while imagery reflects themes of transformation, justice, and the power of second chances. It serves as a daily reminder that our community stands with young people who are navigating the justice system—and that together, we can create a future where all youth have the opportunity to thrive.
A Vision for the Future
This is just the beginning. Our vision is to see FLY murals in every county where we serve—creating beacons of hope and resilience in communities across California. We want these murals to be symbols of change, sparking conversations about justice reform, opportunity, and the potential within every young person.
We are deeply grateful to Together We Create and 1 Culture for their partnership in making this dream a reality. And to the young people whose experiences and insights shaped this mural—you inspire us every day.
We invite you to visit the mural in San Jose – take in its message, and join us in the movement to uplift and empower our youth. This is more than just a wall—it’s a call to action, a declaration of hope, and a step toward a brighter future for all.
