Lead artist portrait series
Six large-scale, half-body portraits representing diverse youth identities, with soccer as the unifying theme. Designed and executed by Trudy Tran.
The Global Game: a community mural for Clarkston
A large-scale public artwork painted by professional artists alongside refugee and local youth, celebrating Clarkston, Georgia, one of the most diverse cities in America located at TRF-ATL soccer facility.
City Hope youth in front of the existing “Love for Clarkston” wall, the community this project is built with and for.
Design concept for the proposed wall: portraits, collaborative backgrounds, and a youth-painted TRF-ATL logo section.
The request
TRF-ATL is asking DeKalb County to help us fund the TRF-ATL Community Mural Project. County support would go directly to artist compensation, materials and installation, and youth participation programming; producing a permanent public artwork in Clarkston within roughly five weeks of a green light.
We welcome full or partial funding, and can recognize DeKalb County on the wall signage, at the public unveiling, and in all project media.
Total project cost
$42,000
- Duration
- ~5 weeks
- Location
- Clarkston, GA
- Organization
- TRF-ATL, 501(c)(3)
The concept
Anchored by large-scale portrait work and supported by contributions from additional artists and local youth, the wall becomes a shared canvas reflecting the identity, energy and diversity of Clarkston.
Collaborative artist background
Open space between the portraits where invited artists layer their own elements into one cohesive story, a living wall. Painted by Austin Blue, Leah Abuycayan and Shannon Willow.
Community “coloring book” section
Guided sections inside the TRF-ATL logo painted by refugee and local kids, giving youth direct ownership of the wall.
Why this matters
Representation
The mural reflects the lived experiences of Clarkston’s global community, giving visible representation in a public space where it is often lacking.
Youth engagement
Local youth help paint the wall, turning them from observers into contributors with real ownership of the space.
Cultural identity
Soccer as a universal language highlights shared experience across cultures while honoring individual backgrounds.
Placemaking
A large exterior wall becomes a recognizable Clarkston landmark that people gather around, photograph and take pride in.
Project impact
Serves thousands
High-visibility location seen by residents, visitors and athletes year-round.
Youth engagement
Refugee and underserved youth take part directly in the painting process.
Permanent public art
A lasting, publicly accessible cultural asset, not temporary programming.
Community pride
Strengthens shared ownership and Clarkston’s visibility as a welcoming city.
Support for artists
Paid opportunities for established and emerging artists across styles.
Budget breakdown
Total target: $42,000
Artist & Creative Director fees
Creative direction, design, project management, painting, communication.
$23,000
Collaborating artists
Designing and painting allocated sections of the wall. $1–2k per contributing artist.
$6,000
Supplies & equipment
Weather and UV-resistant paint, brushes, rollers, tape, tarps, scaffolding, safety equipment.
$5,000
Assistant artists
Support with wall prep, painting and cleanup.
$4,000
Community engagement
Public workshops, community input sessions, volunteer paint days and the mural unveiling.
$2,000
Contingency fund
Reserved for unexpected circumstances.
$2,000
Total
$42,000
Timeline & execution
- 1Site assessment, prep & materials3 days
- 2Community paint days2–3 days
- 3Mural execution2–3 weeks
- 4Finishing & sealant3–5 days
- 5Documentation, unveiling & celebration1 day
Total duration approximately five weeks, including community paint days, professional touch-ups, protective sealant, documentation and a public unveiling.
The artist & creative director
Trudy Tran is a multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta with a BFA from Kennesaw State University. Her murals elevate cities, revitalize locations and uplift community voices through workshops, design surveys, paint days and public unveilings. Clients include MARTA, AT&T, Scholastic, Walmart, the City of Atlanta, the City of Clarkston, the Atlanta Falcons and the World Cup, with murals in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and California.
“Clarkston is Home,” 2025
North Indian Creek Drive Underpass · Clarkston, GA · 1,000 sq. ft.
Commissioned by the City of Clarkston to represent its refugee and immigrant residents. A community meeting shaped the design, and several of Clarkston’s languages spell out “Clarkston is Home.”
“Rebirth,” 2026
740 Sidney Marcus Blvd NE · Atlanta, GA · 3,000 sq. ft.
Commissioned by the City of Atlanta ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Site-specific Buckhead references and a phoenix symbolizing the rebirth of Atlanta.
“Toward Equality in Our Schools,” 2025
Johnson Middle School · Westminster, CA · 350 sq. ft.
Student painting workshops and surveys built the design, honoring the Mendez v. Westminster case with text in Japanese and Spanish.
About TRF-ATL
TRF-ATL (Train. Refine. Flourish.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit soccer training and community organization in Clarkston, Georgia. Through sponsored participation, subsidized programming and community-driven initiatives, TRF-ATL removes financial barriers for refugee and underserved youth, using soccer as a universal language to build confidence, connection and opportunity.
Download the full proposal (PDF)