Forest Park Murals by Joseph Mueller

A modern interpretation of Nike as a youth, with a black background on the east wall of the racquetball courts. Green trees and a dusk sky are in the background above the courts building.

Design concept “Nike” for the east racquetball court wall.

Local artist Joseph Mueller was selected to paint murals on the exterior walls of the racquetball courts in Forest Park in June 2026. The installation is the first of its kind in the Park and covers approximately 3,270 square feet of previously unfinished concrete.

The murals blend classical mythology with bold color to celebrate sports as a shared human experience rooted in movement, history and community. The west wall, "Play at Forest Park," shows Hermes in a cool color palette. The east wall, "Victory in St. Louis," shows a contemporary take on the goddess Nike, in warm colors to represent celebration.

Find them on the racquetball court facility near the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, between the handball courts and “The Nick” basketball courts. The mural is also visible from the adjacent walking and cycling paths, nearby Grand Drive and Lindell Boulevard, and the Variety Wonderland Playground. 

Design concept “Hermes” for the west racquetball court wall.

How art was selected

When facilitating community engagement during the planning for the Nicholas “Nick” J. Booker Basketball Courts, a theme emerged around the possibility of incorporating public art into the space. The seed to include public art at the sports courts near the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center was officially planted when presenting community feedback to the design team, the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever, the Forest Park Advisory Board.

In winter 2025, the City of St. Louis – Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Board of Public Service, Forest Park Forever and The Regional Arts Commission met to define a process for incorporating public art into the court sports area. By late spring, a selection committee was formed, a site was selected—the racquetball courts to serve as a canvas for a mural — and project goals were defined.

In early fall 2025, Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis released a local and nationwide Call for Artists to design and install a unique mural in Forest Park. Over 85 artists applied. The Art Selection Committee reviewed applicant qualifications and their portfolios and selected three dynamic artists as finalists in the process.

Public review and comments

More than 500 community members provided meaningful, thoughtful and constructive feedback on the three design concepts.

Each artist's concept was on display at the Visitor and Education Center in Forest Park from January until March 11. Public and privately hosted opportunities to review each artist’s design concept and share feedback also took place across the City of St. Louis this winter.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this public engagement processes. Your comments and insights were shared with the Art Selection Committee.

Project Goals

The selection committee's goals for the racquetball courts in Forest Park to serve as a canvas for a mural.

  1. Engage visitors to the Nick and sports courts with a lively and engaging artwork that underscores the importance of community, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

  2. Reflect the spirit of how sports and recreation have the power to bring people together.

  3. Be accessible and welcoming to all Park users.

  4. Capture the excitement and energy of play.

  5. Add color and vibrancy to the area.

  6. Foster community and a sense of pride.

Art Selection Committee

The Art Selection Committee is comprised of individuals representing the following organizations:

  • City of St. Louis – Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry

  • Forest Park Advisory Board

  • Forest Park Forever

  • Missouri Historical Society

  • PNC

  • Saint Louis Art Museum

  • Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts – Washington University

  • The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC)

  • Whereas Hoops

In fall 2025, Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis released a local and nationwide Call for Artists to design and install a unique mural in Forest Park.

Call for Artists

Complete submissions were due in September 2025. Three (3) finalists were paid a stipend of $3,000 to develop a concept design for this opportunity. The budget for the final mural is not to exceed $115,000 and it will be executed in the spring of 2026.  Click the Call for Artists image below to open the pdf in a new window.