Mural project in downtown Bowling Green promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion

BOWLING GREEN, KY – A blank wall in downtown Bowling Green is now a vibrant symbol of inclusion and community support, thanks to a mural project led by the SOKY Alliance and local artist Andee Rudloff.

The mural was made possible through a “Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Through Creative Arts” grant awarded by Centerlink and MTV Entertainment Studios to the SOKY Alliance, a nonprofit organization advocating for LGBTQ+ youth in South Central Kentucky.

“I was so excited to learn that we got this grant,” said Crystal Akers, founder of the SOKY Alliance. “Initially, I thought it would just fund some of our BG teen programming — but once we learned it had to be executed by August, one of our leaders suggested a mural. It just made perfect sense.”

The mural was painted on the back wall of “Broadway the Clown” — a building adjacent to First Christian Church on East 11th Avenue — during a community event on Saturday. The project invited participants of all ages to grab a brush and contribute.

“This mural is absolutely about inclusivity,” said artist Andee Rudloff. “It’s a celebration of who we are. We want people who walk by to feel seen, celebrated, and loved.”

Rudloff, who sketched the initial design, guided volunteers in turning the wall into a colorful, collaborative work of art. She says the project also aims to spark “creative confidence” in both the LGBTQ+ community and Bowling Green at large.

“I hope this mural becomes a visible symbol of acceptance here in Bowling Green,” Akers said.

The organization hopes this is just the beginning of more public art projects aimed at fostering inclusion and community pride.

The SOKY Alliance was founded in 2021 and has worked to create safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families — especially in areas where those resources may be limited.