“What Goes Around” - A Mural by Barbara Paris
Austin Creative Reuse is pleased to announce the unveiling of its new permanent outdoor mural, What Goes Around, by Austin-based artist Barbara Paris. This multimedia mural, which was created in collaboration with the community, celebrates the ongoing cycles of life and is a permanent outdoor installation at ACR’s creative reuse center at 2005 Wheless Lane in Austin. The unveiling took place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with introductory remarks from ACR Board President Carole LeClair, followed by a speech and Meet & Greet with the artist.
Barbara Paris is known for her large-scale multimedia artwork that honors transformation, creativity, and the value found in all things. She describes the artwork by saying: “At the center, a ballerina releases a swarm of butterflies that transform into a spiraling motion—just as butterflies symbolize transformation, so, too, do the endless discarded materials we, as Americans, find all around us. The swirl is constructed from reclaimed objects like broken glass and bottle caps, reminding us that we often dismiss and discard things that still hold beauty and purpose. Once seen as useless, these materials are given new life. Through reuse, even the discarded can be celebrated.”
The public is invited to visit the mural every day during daylight hours. ACR would also like to recognize the unmatched contribution that Ms. Paris has made to Austin Creative Reuse since she joined the organization as our second employee in 2016. Over the last nine years, Ms. Paris has taught reuse art to hundreds of artists of all ages as ACR’s Lead Educator, as well as supported ACR in diverting millions of pounds of usable creative materials from the landfill. Our entire community remains grateful for her dedication to ACR’s mission and our people.
This project was supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
