Trashcan Mural Project: Jene McMahon

Artist Profile

Artist and Kalama Mural Project Founder

Hi, my name is Jene McMahon, and I moved to Kalama in the fall of 2024. Having grown up in a small town, I spent years longing to find that special sense of community again—a place where neighbors know neighbors, people come together, and everyone has the opportunity to make a difference. When I moved to Kalama, I knew I had found that place. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to contribute to my new community. I wasn’t exactly sure what that would look like, but I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. I have always loved art, and the more time I spent in Kalama, the more I discovered just how many creative and talented people live here. Then one day, while walking through downtown, something caught my eye—the lids of the trashcans. I remember looking at them and thinking, “Why can’t we paint those?” That simple question sparked an idea.

I began researching, putting together a plan, and eventually approached the Kalama City Council to ask whether we could transform the downtown trash can lids into individual works of public art. To my excitement—and a little bit of surprise—they said YES! And just like that, the Trashcan Mural Project of Kalama was born. For my own trashcan mural, I wanted to create something that celebrates the place I now proudly call home while honoring the beauty of our beloved Washington State. I chose my colors specifically from the Washington State flag and incorporated the rhododendron, Washington’s state flower, into the design. What began as one idea during a walk downtown has grown into something much bigger—a community art project filled with creativity, collaboration, and hometown pride. For me, this project represents exactly what I hoped to find when I moved to Kalama: a small town with a big heart, where one simple idea can bring people together and make our community a little brighter.