A group of Stamford artists is adding some color downtown with a mural connecting Bedford Street to the nearby garage.

The artwork aims to brighten the area, while also highlighting additional parking for one of the busiest blocks—a structure that’s been underutilized, according to city officials.

“We have 800 spaces right there. The city did a great project recently to brighten up the lighting, to do some basic painting inside to make it a lot more user friendly and we thought this mural creating a strong visual connection between the Bedford Passage and the garage would be the cherry on top,” explained David Korris, president of Stamford Downtown. “This is really, we think, a key piece to just make folks realize that there is parking there.”

Kooris said it’s especially key as the downtown becomes a regional draw and parking spots are converted to outdoor dining or pedestrian plazas in the warmer months.

Stamford Downtown partnered with the city for the project and put out a call for proposals for the mural, which spans a wall inside the garage and continues as a crosswalk on the pavement outside. Officials chose artist Lauren Clayton’s pitch.

Clayton, who owns Studio 162, is a Stamford native who’s spent plenty of time downtown.

“This is a community that continues to grow, and so it's really exciting to be a part of that growth in a really tangible way,” Clayton told News 12. “And to help create a beautiful space but also something that’s contributing to the safety of myself and friends and family—it’s a good deal.”

Clayton brought on seven other local artists to help create her vision, which she titled, "All Walks of Life." “I mean just that name alone resonates with me. I'm definitely about just the mix of culture and diversity and unity,” said artist Byron Soza. The mural, which is still in progress, includes a creative take on familiar traffic figures.

“This is my hometown, so I love to do projects here and give some color,” Soza added. “It’s inspiring to me.” Clayton said so far, the feedback has been nothing but love. “We've had a lot of people just walk by and say really kind words,” Clayton stated.

That included a woman Friday morning who News 12 captured on camera.

“It's just awesome—very creative. I love it. I love it,” the woman said. Clayton also told News 12 her team has gotten a lot of “thank you’s” from the people who’ve passed by while they’ve painted.

“Which means a lot because it goes beyond just creating something beautiful. We're actually doing something that is of service,” Clayton said.

Stamford Downtown hosts an annual outdoor sculpture exhibit during the summer, but Kooris said they’re trying to bring more public art to the area.

“Murals can really continue that vibe throughout,” Kooris explained.

Clayton told News 12 they should be done painting the mural in the next few days.

To learn more about the project and the artists involved, click here.