New mural in LaFayette brightens the Square
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Locals will notice a new mural in Downtown LaFayette, Auburn Opelika Dental LaFayette, through a Small Business Improvement Grant, commissioned Kayla Thompson of Thompson & Co to paint the piece.
“We have wanted to use this space on our building for community art for a while,” said Auburn Opelika Dental Dentist and Owner Dr. Abigail Adams. “When DeAnna let us know about the Main Street Grant that could help defray some of the costs, we decided the time was right. We applied for the Main Street grant for both the mural and the benches in front of the office. Being right on the square, there are many community events that take place in front of Auburn Opelika Dental, and we want to create an inviting place for people to sit in the shade and enjoy a food truck festivals, RockingFest, Love LaFayette or a parade. We then got a few quotes and mock-ups from local and regional artists. We were very excited to work with Kayla. We were glad to support a local artist, and always enjoy seeing her art all around town. Once we had a design, we appeared before the historical commission for approval.”
Adams and Thompson said the collaboration to complete the project was done with a goal of brightening the community while representing Auburn Opelika Dental.
“We have considered what to put in this space for several years now,” Adams said. “We wanted to stay away from putting teeth on the mural, because some people are uncomfortable with pictures of teeth. So, we were looking for options with text that would brighten people’s day. We found several examples of other similar murals that we gave Kayla as inspiration. Kayla took those inspiration photos and came up with a great design. We hope that this small bit of art is a bright spot in the community. We hope that it adds to the warm atmosphere in LaFayette and contributes to the welcoming environment of the historic district.”
“This mural is exciting for me because it’s my first permanent mural in LaFayette, and I was really excited when Dr. Adams called me to set up a meeting to talk about it,” Thompson said. “She showed me a few different ideas of what they were thinking, and then I took them, I sketched up a combination and she loved it.”
Both Thompson and Adams said they are excited about the positive community impact the mural will have on both residents and visitors as they spend time in downtown LaFayette.
“Community art makes a place feel lived in and cared for,” Adams said. “It makes the town feel unique and special and shows that the people here care about making LaFayette a wonderful place… I feel honored to be included in the historic district of LaFayette and humbled by all of the hard work everyone is doing to maintain and restore the neighboring buildings. I feel fortunate to be able to give Kayla a canvas to share her art with the people of LaFayette and everyone who visits.”
“I just hope it brings smiles,” Thompson said. “I’ve had so many people tell me that [the mural] brings so much to the LaFayette community with the bright colors, and it definitely helps lift up [downtown]. Then, when they have the events for LaFayette Main Street, [the mural] can help attract more visitors, people can tag the town and stuff like that, and hopefully it’ll spread.”
LaFayette Main Street Executive Director DeAnna Hand said she was excited to help connect Auburn Opelika Dental with Thompson & Co to help both businesses and entrepreneurs, along with brightening the community.
“LaFayette Main Street was able to award 10 Small Business Improvement Grants to our local business members in 2025-26,” she said. “These grants helped impact our progress and the future of our city. We are especially excited for Auburn Opelika Dental’s mural and bench project, which will add beauty, creativity and welcoming spaces for our community to gather. Projects like this don’t just enhance a building; they strengthen our story, invite connection and move us one step closer to the vibrant, revitalized downtown we’re working so hard to build together.”
