Q&A with Mural Artist Maegan Carroll-Simmons

Creating public art can be a daunting task. With the feature of the Magic Mural Pass from Welcome Central Florida, we wanted to reach out to a local artist featured on the pass and ask them about what it’s like to have your art featured in such a public way. Here’s what artist Maegan Carroll-Simmons shared with us regarding her work.

Q: When and how were you approached for the mural that is featured in the Magic Mural Pass (Magnolia Mural in Lakeland)?

A: The owners of the Sommer building and the Stationery Loft reached out to me directly after seeing another mural I was working on in Lakeland. We got together and chatted about what we could paint on the blank wall next to their shop in Traders Alley. Heidi wanted something that would honor her great-niece, Magnolia, and match the decor and vibe of the Stationery Loft. Shortly after we chatted, I applied to the Dixieland Art Infusion mural program. Through this program, the wall was completely funded by the city.

Q: How long have you been an artist, and where else can individuals find your artwork?

A: Pretty much my whole life, but I became a “professional artist” in my mid 20’s. My mom is also an artist and art teacher, so I grew up learning from her. I have always wanted a career in the field, but the “starving artist” stereotype kind of steered me away from this, and led me to believe I would be more successful as a graphic designer (since it’s more of a traditional job). Even though I’ve made it as a full time graphic designer and own a little branding agency, I’ve always been led back to art in some way. I’m glad I pursued my calling, it’s paid off!

My other murals in Lakeland are the Cultivate mural at Catapult Lakeland, all of the murals and lettering of the stage at Union Hall, the Balance Culture mural in Dixieland, I did the mural, website, and logo for Pour Bear Coffee on Cleveland Heights, the mural inside Southside Nutrition, and COhatch in Downtown St. Pete. I have done quite a few private and residential murals, too.

Q: How do you feel about being included in the Magic Mural Pass from Visit Central Florida?

A: I think it’s so cool! Being recognized for my work and asked to paint a giant wall in the middle of downtown is still surreal to me. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it. It’s kind of a big deal to be trusted to paint such big walls.

Q: What does the mural represent? Were you given the subject to paint, or did you choose it yourself?

A: It was chosen by my clients. I originally wanted to paint a more realistic scene with the focal point showing a mockingbird sitting inside the branches of a magnolia tree. It just seems so Florida to me, and I thought it would make a more interesting subject. My clients decided a version of magnolias with a less realistic style and a more patterned layout would be more suitable for Stationery Loft, since many items in the shop had similar floral patterns.

Q: How does it feel to have a piece of public art and see it photographed/tagged in photos?

A: Surreal! I think the coolest moment was when a location scout working with Spectrum approached me and asked to purchase the rights to use the mural in the backdrop of one of their national commercials.

Q: What are your thoughts on murals and public art and its importance in Polk County?

A: After painting the Magnolia mural, I’ve seen how much traffic a single mural can bring to one spot. I’ve had people tell me they’ve driven all the way from other cities to Downtown Lakeland just to see the mural.

Public art enriches people’s lives in so many ways. I’ve seen tons of people come together to take photos in front of the wall during farmers’ markets and First Fridays, and also for life’s special moments like engagements, baby announcements, and graduations. While I was working on it, people would stop and chat, and one of the most special moments for me was when I heard a girl tell her mom, as they left, “I want to be a muralist one day.” This made me realize that murals and public art really do have a big impact on the community by adding more color and beauty to our city, and also by encouraging and supporting the arts.

Read more about the Magic Mural Pass in the Spring 2026 Art-i-facts issue on stands March – May 2026, or read it digitally here.