Helping Hands

Artist: Aimee Bruce

Material Used: Enamel Paint

Location: Mount Trashmore

Artists from the Hampton Roads area were challenged to transform the iconic Mount Trashmore steps from a functional staircase into a fun and lively public work of art. The City of Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, sought out local artists to propose art concepts for a temporary painted mural on the stairwell next to Kid’s Cove. The submissions for the Mount Trashmore Stair murals came in, and the public voted for their favorite design.

“Helping Hands” by Aimee Bruce received over 50% of the votes, along with overwhelming positive feedback and public support.


About the Artist

Aimee Bruce graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a concentration in drawing and design in 2016. She currently lives in Norfolk, VA working as a freelance artist and muralist. Bruce is known to work with varying forms of mixed media while exploring topics ranging from the aesthetically pleasing to the politically playful.


Artist Statement

“My concept behind this design references Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam visually, however, I wanted to focus on the hands themselves. I believe the community as a whole tries to interact and connect with each other to establish a stronger bond between people of all race, religion, gender, etc. When I think of Mt. Trashmore, I think of the people and positive encounters I have experienced there.”