Sioux Falls natives bringing murals to malls nationwide

July 30, 2018

Sioux Falls natives Sarah Nelson and Rebekah Rinehart got to use their hometown mall as the canvas for their latest work.

The Empire Mall installed a mural over the weekend by The Kind Way, which they founded, bringing an interactive element to the food court.

The hope is shoppers will use it as a backdrop to photograph and share their outfit of the day.

“Creating a custom mural for our shoppers to enjoy has always been something we’ve wanted to do at The Empire Mall, and we’re excited to see it come to life,” said Kirsten Schaffer, director of marketing for the mall. “We worked closely with the designers, who know Sioux Falls well having both grown up here and worked previously at The Empire Mall, to ensure the mural embodies where we live and is stylish.”

The 9-foot-by-20-foot mural is designed to show South Dakota pride, fashion and kindness. It’s the third mural installation for The Kind Way since it started last year. The others are in Chicago and Nashville, and a fourth is planned for Dallas

“We both worked at The Empire Mall for several years whilst living in South Dakota! It’s truly an honor and a pleasure to bring our passion project back to our home and community. It is a labor of love — kindness is a choice that can and will make all the difference,” the founders said in a statement.

Each mural created by The Kind Way is painted in honor or memory of a person, group, organization or business that embodies kindness in their work and life as a whole. The Empire Mall mural will recognize the two founders’ families, both still residing in the Sioux Falls area.

The plan is to keep it up at least through the end of the year.

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Sioux Falls natives bringing murals to malls nationwide

Sioux Falls natives Sarah Nelson and Rebekah Rinehart got to use their hometown mall as the canvas for their latest work.

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