Two Sparrows Cupcakes & Coffee Bar

Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.

Project Overview
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar, a new café located in Woodgrove Mall, approached Humanity in Art to develop a site-specific mural that would reflect their brand values and enhance the customer experience. The goal was to bring warmth, personality, and visual storytelling into the space using art that could connect with both casual visitors and loyal patrons.

Creative Challenge
The mural surface presented technical complexity. The café’s interior walls were constructed from raw wood lined with small vertical stakes, creating a deeply textured, irregular canvas not suited to conventional mural practices. Humanity in Art also needed to shift their medium: spray paint, often used in exterior public art, was not an option in this indoor environment.

Artistic Approach
Responding to both material and environmental constraints, the artists adapted their approach by using interior latex paint and leaning into hand-painted pattern work. Over several evening sessions, they developed a layered design that incorporated bold patterning, subtle symbolism, and whimsical visual elements aligned with the café’s branding.

Justice-themed icons were integrated throughout the mural in recognition of the owner’s personal values. Playful cartoon-style accents added levity and charm to the space, contributing to a sense of delight that matched the café’s cupcake-forward identity.

Impact
The final mural installation transformed the café into a bright and inviting destination. The artwork added visual cohesion, storytelling, and warmth to a compact space—reinforcing the café’s mission to serve with personality and purpose. Visitors now enjoy a textured, dynamic interior that invites curiosity and complements the culinary experience.
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar has since established itself as a vibrant space in the mall, distinguished by its distinctive interior and community-minded atmosphere.