The Lakewood Arts Commission reported the completion and recent dedication of a mural titled “Our Beloved Community” by the artist Perico on the barn at Fort Steilacoom Park and said the work ties to a city initiative called Beloved Community.

“The mural is inspired by the beloved community philosophy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Thich Nhat Hanh promoted,” Emily Feline, chair of the Lakewood Arts Commission, told council during a joint meeting. Feline read the plaque text and described key imagery: children from different cultures sharing food in a garden and a monarch butterfly representing migration and ancestral remembrance.

The commission said the mural was completed in May and that the commission hosted a ribbon-cutting attended by Mayor Whelan, Deputy Mayor Moss and councilmembers Branstetter, Bocce and Bell. The mural, the commission said, is intended to emphasize unity, justice and compassion and to complement other city programs tied to the Beloved Community theme.

The commission also announced a citywide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration that will be held on King’s birthday, Jan. 15, 2026, at Pierce College. The event will include artists, performances and a staged play; the commission said it plans a related fundraising community screening of the documentary Count It Out, with Dr. John Scott facilitating discussion.

Commissioners said the mural is part of a broader push to weave the Beloved Community theme into events and public art. “This mural reflects Lakewood's dedication to love, inclusion, and celebrating diversity,” Feline said during the presentation.

Councilmembers and commissioners also discussed associated programming: the commission said it will promote the documentary screening at the MLK event and incorporate the mural’s themes into other community gatherings. No formal council vote was taken during the presentation; commissioners asked for continued council support for event promotion and artist recognition.