We could’ve written press releases.
We could’ve hosted forums.
But this time, we picked up paintbrushes instead.
📍 Locations: Nablus, Deir al-Balah, and Beit Lahya
📅 Date: September 2023
✍️ By: Hazem Masri, Sawaed19 Social Leader in Gaza, in collaboration with Art to Heart in Nablus, West Bank
“The Brush of Hope” wasn’t just an art initiative, it was a visual uprising. A bold, colorful, and defiant refusal to let our pain go unseen. In a country where voices are often silenced, we chose to let the walls speak.
Through the power of graffiti and community art, we brought together artists, youth, activists, and people with disabilities across three cities in Palestine. We didn’t just paint murals, we painted messages.
In a place where public space is often contested, we reclaimed it with creativity, turning sidewalks into storyboards and city walls into loudspeakers for justice, dignity, and hope.
Because when expression is restricted, resistance finds another canvas.
We could’ve written press releases.
We could’ve hosted forums.
But this time, we picked up paintbrushes instead.
“The Brush of Hope” (فرشاة الأمل) wasn’t just an art initiative. It was a visual uprising. A loud, colorful, and defiant refusal to let our pain go unseen. Through the power of graffiti and community art, we brought together artists, youth, activists, and people with disabilities across three locations in Palestine to paint walls with the stories that matter.
🎨 Why Graffiti?
Because walls speak when voices are ignored.
Because public space belongs to the people.
And because sometimes, all it takes is a splash of color to spark a revolution of thought.
We asked communities in Nablus, Deir al-Balah, and Beit Lahya:
“What does your neighborhood need to say?”
They answered, with spray cans, sketches, and purpose.
💥 What We Created
- 3 large-scale murals in 3 different cities
- Themes ranged from women’s rights and climate justice to youth mental health
- 40+ volunteers took part, 15% of whom were individuals with disabilities
- The process was fully participatory—local voices chose the themes, words, and final designs
Our walls now speak of dreams, justice, and collective dignity.
“I’ve never painted in public before. Now, my message is seen by everyone who walks down this street,” said one young woman in Nablus.
🤝 Our Art Allies
This wouldn’t have happened without the creative souls and support of:
- Beit Lahya Municipality
- Future Development Commission
- Art to Heart (Nablus)
- Community Youth Training Center (Nablus)
They believed in our vision and more importantly, they believed in giving communities the tools to tell their own stories.
🎥 From Canvas to Community
This initiative turned sidewalks into storyboards.
Passersby stopped to watch.
Children asked questions.
Elders stood in silence, nodding.
And suddenly, these murals weren’t just painted. They became public declarations of hope.
We hope to do more. Because Palestine has a lot more to say and we’ve only just begun painting.
