Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) has unveiled a new fundraiser that will ultimately create original art within Sandy Hook Village through a community effort.

The Village Mural Project is in its infancy this year. Organizers hope it will grow into something that will create multiple murals to celebrate the business district while also raising funds to replace a pedestrian bridge spanning the Pootatuck River that was removed two years ago after falling into disrepair.

Entries for the inaugural Community Mural Design Competition are being accepted until July 31. Residents of all ages are invited to design an image that captures the spirit, history, and heart of Sandy Hook. The design that is selected will be turned into a mural during this year’s Rocking The Hook, returning September 26.

The second part of the project will be the voting phase, and the third part will be in September, when the public will be invited to paint squares that will ultimately form the mural.

Sandy Hook resident Kaitlynn Clark is spearheading the mural project. She was inspired by The Ocean Beach Community Mural Project which has, since 1999, created community murals that celebrate the essence of the seaside town. At least two dozen murals now cover local businesses within a few blocks of San Diego, Calif.

Clark participated in at least one of the mural creations while living on the West Coast.

“I can go back to California and see my square,” she told The Newtown Bee last month. “It’s such a great way to bring the community together. They’ve been doing this for years, and each mural comes together cohesively.”

She is hoping participants will have the same joy while creating the Sandy Hook murals, and then when they return to see them in the future.

For this inaugural year, members would like designs to be created by those who live within town.

Designs must be created on a 12- by 16-inch paper. Designs must include the words Sandy Hook Village, and the following elements: the former Sandy Hook footbridge, the Pootatuck River; the Sandy Hook Christmas Tree or Trees (the Washington Avenue-Riverside Road tree and/or the tree at 1 Washington Avenue); red sidewalks; a lamp post; something Halloween-themed, to honor Sandy Hook Halloween Walk; something to represent music (Rockin’ the Hook); something Irish (Sandy Hook Pub Crawl); dining; shopping; and 2026.

Designs should reflect community, connection, and the charm of Sandy Hook, according to contest notes.

No additional written words, numbers, letters, or symbols are allowed. Organizers are also asking artists to avoid memorial or commemorative elements.

Designs must be created with colored pencils, markers, and/or crayons. They cannot be black and white.

The winning artist will have their name included on the final mural. They will also be recognized during Rockin’ the Hook.

Original art will not be returned, and the winning design may be used in marketing and/or fundraising materials at Rockin’ the Hook.

Voting for the illustration that will become the 2026 mural will open in early August. It will continue for five weeks, with two voting options.

The designs will be presented on SHOP’s new Facebook page, SHOP Sandy Hook Village (facebook.com/SandyHookVillage), where each Like on each image will be counted as one vote. The public can also vote in person locally, with each $1 donation counting as ten votes. In-person opportunities will be announced on SHOP’s Facebook page.

Funds raised during the voting will be put toward SHOP’s Sandy Hook Footbridge Replacement Project.

Online and donation voting will end September 8. SHOP members will be casting their votes September 9. The winner will be announced September 10.

By September 26 — the day of Rockin’ the Hook 2026 — plywood for the full mural will be divided into squares. The public will be invited to purchase squares, which will have their designs outlined. Each square will be accompanied by the paint needed to fill in the mural block.

Artists are invited to visit facebook.com/SandyHookVillage, send e-mail to sandyhookorganization@gmail.com, or call 203-948-8364 for full mural competition details.