Rustic Love Public Art Brings Heart To Fundraising In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — Vienna-based nonprofit Rustic Love is ready to feel the love from the town with its newest fundraiser: a mural project.

Rustic Love partnered with local mural artist Teresa L.C. Ahmad and Commonwealth Home Design to plan a new public art piece to downtown Vienna. The mural will be located at the Commonwealth Home Design building, 208 Dominion Road NE next to the W&OD Trail in downtown Vienna.

"The Rustic Love Hearts and Home mural on the Commonwealth Home Design building will be an extension of the genuine concern and generosity expressed by our local community during and proceeding the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rustic Love founder and executive director Michelle Connors. "We are excited to bring a vibrant public art piece to life that incorporates our open-heart design and raises money for the food-insecure in our community in the process."

Rustic Love grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its heart-shaped signs with proceeds benefiting organizations addressing food insecurity. To date, their sales have raised almost $500,000, and they have given grants to 21 Northern Virginia nonprofits, especially underresourced school food pantries. The effort has been led by teen volunteers making the signs.

The mural will be painted by the artist and a team of volunteers once fundraising is complete. Rustic Love is seeking business and community sponsors for each heart on the mural. There are nine levels of sponsorship.

For more information, visit rusticlovemural.com.