Suvinil, a Sherwin-Williams brand, Transforms Community through one of Brazil's Largest Inhabited Urban art Interventions

Jul. 28, 2026

When color meets active listening, collective participation and a shared desire to transform realities, it can change far more than landscapes. It strengthens connections, fosters a sense of belonging and leaves lasting legacies. This vision comes to life in the Vasco da Gama neighborhood, in northern Recife, Brazil, where Suvinil, a Sherwin-Williams brand, and the NGO Movimento União BR have joined forces to demonstrate that Color Changes Everything.

The initiative is part of Suvinil’s "Putting Color into Play Changes Everything" campaign, built on the belief that color has the power to transform spaces, strengthen communities and generate positive impact across neighborhoods.

More than an urban art intervention, the project was born from active listening to local residents and the collaborative development of a proposal designed to reflect the community’s identity, aspirations and culture. Before any painting began, residents took part in the creative process, followed the development of the artwork and approved the intervention that now brings color to the neighborhood.

The result is a large-scale transformation connecting the community’s sports court—considered the heart of the neighborhood—to nearly 100 surrounding homes through a single urban artwork. The intervention celebrates Recife’s culture, vibrant colors and creative spirit, establishing itself as one of the largest inhabited urban art interventions in Brazil.

Recife was also a meaningful choice for Suvinil. Beyond the city’s cultural significance, the brand operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Jaboatão dos Guararapes and viewed the initiative as an opportunity to create lasting positive impact while bringing its ESG strategy to life.

Renato Firmiano, Senior Marketing Director at Suvinil said:

"For Suvinil, being present in Recife goes far beyond carrying out a one-time initiative. We have a longstanding relationship with the region through our manufacturing facility in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, and we believe that Color Changes Everything when it creates real transformation in people’s lives. We found in Movimento União BR a partner that already works within the community, understands its needs and shares our vision of building lasting legacies."

 

The project includes the complete renovation of the community sports court, as well as infrastructure improvements throughout the surrounding area, including an outdoor fitness space, a new children's playground and new communal gathering areas.

The initiative was created by Brazilian agency BeHumble.

Eduardo Cabral, CEO of BeHumble said:

"BeHumble was founded to do exactly this: connect culture, place and brands in a way that leaves something meaningful behind. Seeing Suvinil use color as a tool for belonging, within a community shaped by listening and collective participation, proves that the right idea, in the right hands, can create real transformation. That is exactly why we exist."

 

The renovated sports court was inaugurated this past weekend during the traditional Copinha Vasco da Gama, a local youth football tournament. Held annually for more than 20 years, the competition could not take place last year because of the poor condition of the facility. Now, with the renovation complete, the tournament has returned, bringing together eight local football teams in a celebration of community.

The initiative also extends its legacy through education. As part of the project, Suvinil and Movimento União BR partnered with the Back to School program, led by visual artist and graffiti artist Ricardo Célio, to redefine the relationship between school spaces, culture and citizenship through urban art.

At Gilberto Freyre State School, ten artists from Recife and the local community were invited to create artworks in areas selected by students. Before work on the murals began, students participated in urban art workshops, co-creation activities and listening sessions to identify their favorite places within the school and imagine how new colors and textures could positively transform their daily environment.

The selected spaces were renovated and prepared to receive the artistic interventions, which began on July 14 and concluded with the official reopening of the school on July 17.

Marcella Balthar, co-founder of Movimento União BR said:

"Beyond bringing art and beauty to the community, this is a collective transformation developed alongside the residents of Vasco da Gama and approved by them. Listening, participation and the involvement of local leaders have been part of every stage of the project because we believe lasting solutions are built in partnership with the people who know and live the reality of the community."

 

Throughout the project, residents also had access to Casa Suvinil, a dedicated community hub created as a space for support, connection and gathering. The venue hosted training courses, workshops, talks and other activities for local participants.

Renato Firmiano added:

"Casa Suvinil was our way of experiencing the community in an authentic way. More than supporting a physical transformation, we wanted to be present, build meaningful connections and strengthen relationships throughout the entire process. We believe transformation happens through exchange, continuity and genuine closeness with people."

 

To create the main mural, the project brought together two leading names in Pernambuco’s urban art scene: Marquinhos ATG and Tati Naara.

A graffiti artist, muralist, photographer and art educator, Marquinhos ATG has worked since the early 2000s on projects that combine art with social transformation.

The artist said:

"Art found me, and I simply embraced it. After many years painting on the streets, I realized it is a powerful social tool for transformation. Art had already transformed my own life long before I understood it. Now I want to give back everything life has given me through art. Being part of an initiative like this, alongside Suvinil and Movimento União BR, shows how we can go beyond aesthetics and turn art into a catalyst for collective transformation."

 

A member of Brazil’s Hip Hop movement for the past 15 years, Tati Naara leads graffiti workshops, community mural projects and initiatives focused on empowering women and the LGBTQIAPN+ community. Living with monocular vision impairment, she found in art a space for self-expression and belonging.

She said:

“I got into graffiti so people could recognize me without having to see me. Because of my visual impairment, that was something I struggled with. I began creating art as a way of discovering myself. Being part of this initiative by Suvinil and Movimento União BR—with such a strong purpose and so much care for the community—is truly a gift.”