Books & Brews

Be part of creating a lasting work of art at ScienceWorks: a mural created by the whole community!

As part of our Books & Brews Nostalgic Book Fair, we're inviting our community to help transform an exterior wall of the museum into a vibrant celebration of science, art, and nature.



During Books & Brews, local artist Ursula Barton will lead a one-of-a-kind community mural project. Participants will have the chance to throw paint-filled balloons at a designated section of the museum's exterior, creating a colorful foundation that Ursula will transform into a large-scale mural inspired by the extraordinary patterns found in nature.

The finished artwork will feature enlarged textures and forms inspired by feathers, butterfly wings, reptile scales, fish skin, and microscopic life. As these natural patterns weave together across the building, the mural will make the museum itself feel alive and evolving — a playful fusion of science, art, and curiosity that reflects the experiences waiting inside ScienceWorks.

How to Participate

Throughout the Books & Brews event, participants will have the opportunity to throw pairs of balloons at the museum wall. Each pair includes one paint-filled balloon and one water-filled balloon, creating the colorful splashes and textures that will become the foundation of Ursula Barton's finished artwork.

Balloon bundles are available in several sizes:

• 1 pair (1 paint + 1 water balloon) — $10
• 3 pairs — $25
• 15 pairs (a full box) — $100

We also invite supporters to donate a box of balloons to the fundraiser. Sponsored balloons will be available for children, families, and other community members to throw throughout the day, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to leave their mark on the mural, regardless of their ability to pay.

Together, thousands of colorful balloon splashes will become the backdrop for a permanent work of public art on the Walker Street side of ScienceWorks, where it will welcome students from Ashland Middle School, TRAILS Outdoor School, museum visitors, and our entire community for years to come.

Every balloon thrown helps create something bigger than itself — a lasting symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the community that makes ScienceWorks possible.