Mural recognizes role developmentally disabled play in community

Before the summer of 2010, a large brick wall on East Sharpnack Street near Germantown Avenue was, well, just another wall. Hundreds of cars drove by it, having little reason to do otherwise.

But the mural that now covers the East Mt. Airy location may give residents a reason to stop and take notice.

“It’s All about Community” features people and places from the neighborhood, including the developmentally disabled, a community that doesn’t often appear in murals.

The bright, colorful mural is the result of a collaboration between community development corporation Mt. Airy USA and the city’s Mural Arts Program and Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services.

The artist is Jon Laidacker.