Ollie x seiya vivistop mural
If you’ve ever walked into Vivistop Honolulu, you’ve probably noticed the large mural wall in our studio. A space we’ve always imagined as a rotating canvas for youth to express themselves on a grand scale. It started in August 2022, just before our grand opening, when we invited a teen artist from our mural workshop to paint the very first piece. Our plan was to rotate the mural every 4–6 months, offering other young artists the chance to create something bold and public.
But time passed. The mural stayed up.
We offered. We encouraged. But understandably, no one quite felt ready to take on something that visible. Creating on that scale, for everyone to see, can feel overwhelming.
So after a year and a half, I decided to take the first step. I began painting a new mural during my free hours not to finish it alone, but to start something others might feel curious about. Something that could spark the idea: maybe I could do that too.
Characters That Represent Us
The idea? Paint original characters inspired by the people who make up Vivistop — the team, the crew, the heartbeat of our space.
I created a survey that asked questions like:
“If you were a music genre, what genre would you be?”
“What’s your favorite tool at Vivistop?”
“Describe yourself in three objects.”
Based on their responses, I began sketching. Each character became a visual reflection of personality and creativity, not just cartoon versions, but story-driven symbols of who we are.
Enter Ollie
One afternoon, during one of our Free-Flow days, where kids are invited to explore any creative pursuit they’re curious about, Ollie walked in.
I asked if he’d be interested in helping with the mural. He jumped at the opportunity.
I gave him half of the surveys and asked him to fill one out himself so I could design his character too. Once all of the character designs were complete, Ollie took the lead in arranging them into a single mural composition, a collage of creativity that brought everyone together.
From there, we projected the final design onto the wall, traced the outlines, and spent days painting side-by-side, character by character, detail by detail.
More Than a Mural
What followed was one of my most rewarding experiences at Vivistop. We talked as we worked, about art, storytelling, and the many projects Ollie had brewing in his world:
A screenplay he was writing with his cousin.
A game he wants to build.
His job at a haunted house.
His digital art that won a Humane Society contest.
And how working at a local ice cream shop helped shape how he sees people.
Ollie’s artistic maturity, ideas, and energy are rare, especially in someone his age. Through this project, I didn’t just see a mural take shape. I saw a young artist step into his own.
What Lives on the Wall
The finished mural isn’t just a new visual. It’s a story of initiative, collaboration, and the quiet power of showing up.
It represents:
A creative invitation
The personalities of our space
And the mentorship that happens when adults and youth build something together
So next time you walk into Vivistop and see those characters on the wall, know that they aren’t just cool designs. They’re us. And they’re a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one “yes” to create something lasting.