In the fall of 2020, I got a call about a new seafood restaurant on Market Street in downtown Frederick. The owners were struggling with a long hallway connecting the front and back dining areas. They wanted something unique, so I suggested an interactive mural—a vibrant underwater shipwreck scene filled with hidden surprises for guests to discover and share on social media.

The mural featured a giant pink octopus that doubled as a “hat” in photos, a reggae-inspired bait worm inspired by my trip to Jamaica, and a nod to SpongeBob SquarePants. At its heart was a sprawling shipwreck surrounded by vibrant coral, schools of fish, and bubbles—around 2,000 of them, to be exact!

I shared clues online, and soon guests were tagging me, saying “I found it!” The octopus “hat” became a favorite, sparking smiles and social media buzz.

Sadly, the restaurant had the unfortunate timing of opening just before COVID. The shutdowns took a toll, and it was forced to close permanently. While the mural no longer exists, the joy it brought during its time reminds me why I love what I do: creating art that connects people and leaves lasting memories, even when the work itself is fleeting.