By Mavrie Durham

Auburn Roots, a community-centered mural project, held its first open paint at the Auburn Farmers Market at Les Grove on Sunday, June 14, with one more open paint day set for Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving the public one more chance to contribute to the mural.

The project is free and open to all ages to participate.

At the start of the project, the City of Auburn conducted a community feedback form of what the community wanted to see in the mural. The geometric design features cherry blossoms and apples, with Green River under a backdrop of Mount Rainier. On each side, indigenous families honor the Muckleshoot tribe who worked the land before settlers arrived.

The mural, designed by local artist Dovey Martinez, celebrates Auburn’s rich agricultural history, the hardworking people who sustain it, and the cultural diversity that makes the city vibrant.

Martinez stated:

“[This mural] will celebrate the diversity and heritage of Auburn… I took those ideas and created the design.”

Once completed, the mural will be installed along the fence near the market site, creating a welcoming and meaningful public artwork that honors Auburn’s past, present, and future.