Local artist’s unexpected journey to muralist

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It was another day for local muralist Morgan Summers, painting an oversized beach ball at the Publix Sports Complex in Panama City Beach. Turning the large beach ball at the main entry gate into a work of art.

“When I first set out to be a muralist, oh we are going to paint a large beach ball at a baseball slash lacrosse slash soccer sports complex, but you know it was the dream I didn’t know I had,” said Summers.

You never know where you might find Morgan on any given day. Days before a beach ball was her canvas, she was painting murals at a local real estate company and windows at History Class Brewing Company.

”I’m making work that people see around every single day when they commute, and that’s exciting.”

But her sometimes unexpected canvasses fit her journey to becoming a muralist. She started “Uhbeautifulmes” back in 2021 to work for herself as an artist. Morgan finished school in Orlando in graphic design, and eventually traded in the computer for a paintbrush.

”I did choir, did dance for 20-something years, did everything but visual arts and here I am painting murals, so.”

It’s hard work at times. Carrying her 12 ft. ladder and many paint cans all in her MINI Cooper. It’s hard work, but it’s easier when you love it.

“I have been pleasantly surprised that if I could just do a good job at what I do, people seem to enjoy it.”

Even though she never knows where she might be, it’s always where she wants to be.

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