Amid the sheet metal and assorted garage detritus that lines the Wellbottom Industrial Community, residents and visitors are finding a touch of culture in an unlikely place.

Juan Trevino and the Chewstick Foundation’s now-completed mural — recently commissioned by Urban Cottage, a local retailer specialising in a “mix of new, vintage and reclaimed goods for your home” — has exploded to life since The Royal Gazette last reported on the graffiti artist’s latest work.

The 250 foot mural was done in collaboration with Mr Trevino and the charity’s community arts programme, with the aim to bring artistic expression to public spaces across the Island.

In line with Chewstick’s mission to empower people through storytelling, creative expression and social justice, the mural, said Mr Trevino, explores the relationship between humans and water.

“We are trying to invite society to be conscious about water; how to save, how to use it in the right way, how not to waste it,” said Mr Trevino.

“There are literally hundreds of people who have come to see them, just to make a picture of it and all of them have been positive about it. Everyone likes it, and I think the Island was ready.”

The mural is the second piece of artwork Mr Trevino has left on a Wellbottom business, although it does not appear to be the last.

The idea originally came from local photographer Scott Tucker, owner of the 15 Wellbottom warehouse, who was inspired after a photograph taken by his son of a storefront in Brooklyn.

Now, Mr Tucker is hoping the artwork will add some “excitement” to the area and attract new businesses.

“It’s just a lot of fun. Everybody wants one now,” said Mr Tucker.

“We want to be the Brooklyn of Bermuda, with art galleries and happenings and cool people working in the design industry.

“We like to call this the centre of art, commerce, and industry since 1979, when we moved down here, so we’re definitely trying to make this an exciting place for people to start some dynamic businesses,” said Mr Tucker.

Working out of his photography studio at 15 Wellbottom — “the Best Little Warehouse in Bermuda” — Mr Tucker and his assistant, Natasha Rosdol, Mr Trevino’s wife, decided one day to just “do something cool”.

“I had been wanting to do murals here on the building for some time and I saw Juan and said, ‘let’s do one right here’.

“I had been intrigued by a photo [my son] Oliver took in Brooklyn and Hamsas, which is a symbol from the Middle East which wards off evil spirits and brings good luck.”

While Mr Tucker and Mr Trevino plan on adding more murals to the area, Mr Trevino hopes to inspire more local artists to help in beautifying some of the Island’s more rundown areas through “urban artistic expression.”

“From now on I think we’re going to start have people involved more,” said Mr Trevino. “The most important part is finding local Bermudians with talent and invite them to do some art.”

Anyone interested in commissioning a public mural, or who want to support other initiatives coordinated by the Chewstick Community Art Programme, can reach Mr Garcia by phone: 292-2439, or e-mail: tiago@chewstick.org.