Mesa artist debuts massive, 100-foot mural at ASU 

An ethereal woman with forest green hair now greets students on their way to Arizona State University. She is part of Mesa artist Shela Yu’s latest mural, “Of Dust & Dreams,” which stretches nearly 100 feet across the ōLiv Tempe apartment complex. The artist, who goes by ShellShaker, created the piece as part of a nationwide, five-campus “beautification project,” led by the art collective Secret Walls to transform blank walls into eye-catching destinations.  

“‘Of Dust & Dreams’ became an abstract expression of emerging from hardship,” Yu says. “I also have a deep love for nature, and the imagery in this mural serves as a reminder to stay connected to the earth, even while living in a concrete jungle.” 

Yu and Secret Walls founder Terry Guy share more about the mural, the project that made it possible and what they’re both up to next. 

Terry, tell us about Secret Walls’ campus beautification project.

TERRY GUY: (The paint marker company) POSCA invited us to embark on a nationwide journey across the United States, giving us the opportunity to beautify some of the country’s most prominent college campuses. It was an invitation we couldn’t refuse, as it aligns perfectly with our brand values. Any chance to create large-scale murals that inspire the next generation and uplift local communities is a win for us. In challenging times, when so many people feel overwhelmed by the world, we believe murals have the power to bring moments of joy and positivity. 

Shela, tell us about what inspired “Of Dust & Dreams.”

SHELA YU: 2025 has been a year of constant movement and change — at times difficult and trying — but within all of that, beautiful experiences still surfaced. “Of Dust & Dreams” became an abstract expression of emerging from hardship. I also have a deep love for nature, and the imagery in this mural serves as a reminder to stay connected to the earth, even while living in a concrete jungle. That’s one of the reasons I love Arizona so much — the desert is always around us, and it doesn’t take much to find a mountain to climb, breathe fresh air and gain a higher perspective. 

Tell us about the scale of the piece and how long it took you to complete.

SHELA YU: Photos never truly do murals justice, and this one is especially striking given its unexpected location. If you’re driving east on University toward Myrtle in Tempe near ASU, it suddenly reveals itself on the left-hand side. The mural stands about 40 feet tall and stretches nearly 100 feet across the side of a massive ASU housing complex called ōLiv. I completed it in just one week with the help of my incredible assistant, Susanna Barraza. 

Terry, how did you select ShellShaker as the artist for this project? What do you love about her work?

TERRY GUY: ShellShaker was an easy first choice. She’s a powerful source of positive energy, and her work checks every box — style, medium, themes and color. She proudly represents both Native and immigrant communities and is also a devoted POSCA user, which made the collaboration feel especially authentic. 

Shela, you’ve done several murals around the Valley. What’s your process like when conceptualizing and executing large-scale works?

SHELA YU: Every mural is different, depending on the location, the wall’s texture and the needs of the client. The key is finding the right balance between those elements and allowing my imagination to take over so the concept can reveal itself organically. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to get there, but I’m excited to keep pushing myself creatively in the year ahead. 

How does your experience as a massage therapist manifest in your work?

SHELA YU: A big part of it is my connection to people. I’m intentional about making clients feel comfortable with both me and the process. Over the years, I’ve also learned just how healing art itself can be. I create from a place that feels restorative for me, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see my work become a source of connection and positivity for others. I genuinely hope people feel a sense of wonder when they encounter my art — something that can ripple into their own lives. We could all use more whimsy and wonder in these streets. 

What are you working on next?

SHELA YU: I’m focusing on developing my studio practice next year after falling in love with oil paints, so you can expect to see more exhibitions from me. I’m also looking forward to traveling more for mural projects, expanding my reach while feeding my own sense of wanderlust. My hope is that the experiences I gather beyond Arizona will become fuel I can bring home — enriching the walls here in the Valley of the Sun. 

Terry, will you visit any other Arizona universities for future projects?

TERRY GUY: We hope to return soon to build on what we started and to host Secret Walls Academy workshops while we’re in town. Watch this space.