Community helps bring “Blooming Together” mural to life during YSU day at Blooming Crazy

Community members came together with Youngstown State University faculty and students Thursday evening at Blooming Crazy Flowers and Gifts to celebrate 5o years of operation. The celebration took place during YSU Day, a special event featuring participation in the “Blooming Together” public mural project.

Held at the longtime Boardman business at 8277 Market St., the event invited residents of all ages to learn about YSU programs and initiatives while helping paint portions of the large-scale mural that will brighten the exterior of Blooming Crazy.

Light refreshments and opportunities to connect with university representatives made the event both educational and interactive. Area businesses donated items for raffle and provided discounts to encourage community members to shop local.

The mural was created through a partnership between Blooming Crazy and YSU in celebration of Blooming Crazy's 50th anniversary. Designed and executed by YSU art students Emily Drees, Leah Franke and Jason Smalley under the direction of professor of art Dragana Crnjak, the project is part of the art department’s Community Engagement Internship Program.

The mural is scheduled for completion in mid-October and features a bold floral design intended to bring color and energy to the surrounding area.

"This project demonstrates the power of art to connect people and transform shared spaces," said Crnjak. "Our students have the opportunity to apply what they learn in the studio to a real-world public art project while working directly with community partners. Through experiences like this, they gain valuable skills in collaboration, communication, project planning and creative problem-solving."

Crnjak said the community's participation in the project makes the mural especially meaningful.

"Public art is most impactful when the community feels a sense of ownership and connection to it," she said. "Inviting residents to help paint the mural creates a unique opportunity for people to become part of the artwork's story while experiencing firsthand the value that arts education brings to our region."

The project provides participating students with hands-on experience beyond the classroom while contributing a lasting visual landmark to the community.

"Creative expression plays a vital role in strengthening communities, fostering innovation and enriching quality of life," said Amy Cossentino, vice provost and dean of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts and Sokolov Honors College. "YSU is proud to partner with local organizations to create meaningful learning opportunities for our students while expanding access to the arts. Events like YSU Day demonstrate how universities and community partners can work together to create experiences that inspire engagement, creativity and connection."

Blooming Crazy co-managers Janet Dunn and YSU alumna Ann Marie Velchek welcomed the partnership as part of the business's 50th anniversary celebration and expressed appreciation for the students, faculty and community members who helped bring the vision to life.

"Partnering with YSU on the ‘Blooming Together’ mural has been a wonderful way to celebrate Blooming Crazy's 50th anniversary," Velchek said. "As a YSU alumna, it's especially rewarding to see students applying their talents in a real-world setting while engaging members of the community in the creative process. This mural is more than public art. It's a lasting symbol of collaboration, community pride and the power of bringing people together."

Through the “Blooming Together” mural, YSU students gained first-hand experience in the creation process of a public piece of artwork while engaging in community-based creative practice. The project reflects YSU's commitment to experiential learning, community engagement and the transformative power of the arts.

Community engagement extended beyond the mural through YSU’s Y and Kind initiative, part of the national United States of Kindness commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Attendees received free, America 250-inspired YSU kindness cards to write and share messages of encouragement and more than 250 acts of kindness already logged through the initiative.

YSU’s commitment to the community was recognized in 2026 when the university earned the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, highlighting the university's dedication to building meaningful partnerships that enrich both student learning and the broader community.