ABOUT HAGOPIAN ARTS
Hagopian Arts is an independent, female-owned public art initiative based in West Philadelphia, founded by Kala Hagopian in 2016. With a focus on imagery inspired by nature, Hagopian Arts creates luminous murals that juxtapose highly rendered realism with vibrant geometric patterns and atmospheric elements. These artworks celebrate the beauty of the natural world while transforming urban spaces into dynamic narratives that highlight ecology, culture, and community.
Kala’s upbringing in the rural landscapes of Central Vermont, immersed in nature and guided by her artist father, Philip Hagopian, profoundly shaped her painting style and environmental focus. Early training under her father instilled in Kala a deep understanding of color, composition, and light, which she further honed after moving to Philadelphia to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 2009. After beginning her public art career in 2012 as part of the mural collective Chroma Dolls, Kala established Hagopian Arts in 2016, bringing her passion for nature and art together in transformative public projects.
Serving a wide range of clients—including international corporations, nonprofits, community organizations, real estate developers, small businesses, and private residences—Hagopian Arts prioritizes collaboration and community engagement. Each mural reflects the unique histories, traditions, and cultures of the neighborhoods it enhances, fostering meaningful connections between art and community.
Notable Clients and Collaborations
Hagopian Arts has partnered with a diverse array of clients and organizations, demonstrating its versatility and impact in public art. These include:
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A Commitment to Environmental Art and Community
Hagopian Arts is at the forefront of environmentally focused public art through its Eco Mural Project, an ongoing series of murals designed to inspire awareness and action on ecological and cultural issues. These meticulously detailed works immerse viewers in the beauty of at-risk ecosystems while addressing pressing concerns like environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
Within this initiative, the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project highlights the cultural heritage of medicinal plants, fostering deeper connections between individuals and the natural world. Murals like Eco Mural 18: Women’s Wild Medicine, the pilot of which is installed at Penn OB/GYN, explore the ancestral bond between women and medicinal plants and have inspired a series within the Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project. In collaboration with illustrator Katie Lillard, Hagopian Arts also developed the Wild Medicine Coloring Journal and Foraging Guide, featuring 20 medicinal plants. Distributed to schools and community organizations, these resources empower youth and families to safely engage with wild plants and explore their uses.
Key murals include:
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Wild Medicine Eco Mural 20: Artelo, celebrating the interdependence of plants, pollinators, and human communities in collaboration with Square Roots Collective, Artelo, and Kennett Trails Alliance
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Wild Medicine Eco Mural 21: Bartram’s Garden, honoring the Lenni Lenape people’s botanical knowledge through mini murals, in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Empowered CDC, and Bartram’s Garden (the oldest botanical Garden in the country.)
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Eco Mural 11: in partnership with John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Programming highlights include herbal medicine-making workshops led by Melaney Gilchrist, yoga and mindfulness sessions with Breathe Moore, and painting workshops with children and community members at sites like Hyacinth Montessori School, the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Kennett Square, and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
By integrating art, education, and advocacy, Hagopian Arts engages diverse communities to foster pride, belonging, and collective responsibility for the natural world.
Art with Purpose
Hagopian Arts merges fine art with environmental advocacy, creating murals that redefine public spaces and inspire a renewed appreciation for the natural world. By celebrating the interconnectedness of ecology, culture, and community, Hagopian Arts continues to leave a transformative mark on urban landscapes, inspiring meaningful change for generations to come.
