Planting Joy in Elmhurst
The story behind Melina Scotte’s latest Elmhurst mural
When you step inside the parking garage at 120 W. Adelaide St. in downtown Elmhurst, you’re greeted not by gray concrete but by a sweeping vision of growth, beauty, and resilience. The new mural, Adelaide, The Keeper of the Garden, transforms the structure into a place of inspiration, a gift from local artist Melina Scotte to the city she calls home.
A Poetic Beginning
The seed of the mural came from a line in Jorge Luis Borges’ poem “Aprendiendo” (“You Learn”): “So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” For Scotte, this verse, paired with her frequent visits to the Wilder Park Conservatory, sparked the idea of a woman tending her cultivated flowers, an image that extended gracefully onto the garage pillars.
“The inspiration was to portray that having a beautiful garden is our own responsibility,” she explains. “It’s our duty to bring what we want for our own lives.” Naming the piece after both the street and the meaning of “Adelaide”—noble nature—was her way of rooting the mural in place while adding layers of symbolism.
Melina Scott
Art Close to Home
Although Scotte has painted murals in various communities, this project was particularly special. As an Elmhurst resident, she viewed the commission as an opportunity to give back. During the process, she met neighbors who stopped to talk and thank her for bringing color into their daily routines.
“It was very rewarding to meet the community,” she says. “This mural was different because it represented something more personal. It came from my own experiences here, but I hope people will make their own interpretations of what they see. I want it to be an inspiring piece for the city.”
From Sketch to Scale
Scotte describes her process as more intuitive than rigidly planned. Her first sketches emerged from the Borges quote and her love of nature, but adapting them to the garage setting presented challenges. Initially, the project was scoped only for the pillars. She proposed extending the design onto the wall itself, introducing the “guardian of the flowers” to preside over the painted blooms.
Painting inside a functioning parking garage tested both her patience and skill. Cars moved in and out constantly, and scaffolding was required to reach heights over 16 feet. Her husband, who assisted throughout the project, was instrumental in helping her complete the work on time. Artistically, she wrestled with color, mixing and remixing until the hues matched her vision.
Themes that Grow
At its core, Adelaide, The Keeper of the Garden is about cultivating beauty, connection, and self. These themes echo throughout Scotte’s broader body of work. Whether painting with acrylics, sketching in watercolor, or working digitally for a mural design, she views each piece as a discovery.
“I don’t create art necessarily for spaces,” she reflects. “I create art for my own soul. I love it first, and then I’m grateful to share it so others can connect and take their own meaning.”
Public Art with Purpose
Scotte is a passionate advocate for public art. She recalls the joy of encountering murals as a young person—bursts of color that brightened rainy days and transformed long waits at bus stops into moments of wonder. “I truly believe art has the power to talk without words and touch everyone in different ways,” she says. “That’s why I share my art through murals.”
Her hope is that the Elmhurst mural will do the same for residents and visitors: offering daily inspiration, sparking reflection, and quietly reminding passersby of the beauty that can emerge when someone takes time to cultivate their own garden.
An Evolving Artist
Melina Scotte at work
Looking back across her portfolio, Scotte sees her style as constantly shifting. With oils and acrylics, she feels freer, letting the painting “reveal itself” as she works. Watercolors demand more planning; digital art for murals challenges her to think differently. In the future, she hopes to expand her practice into sculpture and installation art—dreaming of larger, more immersive projects.
Wisdom for the Next Generation
Asked what advice she would give to young artists, Scotte emphasizes experimentation and perseverance. “Most of what I’ve learned came from trying things myself,” she says. “You have to enjoy the process, not just the outcome. Don’t let the opinions of others shape who you are as an artist.”
For those aspiring to paint in public spaces, she encourages patience and persistence. Opportunities don’t always come quickly, but small steps and steady effort lead to growth. “Take on challenges,” she advises. “They will help form your abilities. And always choose the path that makes you grow as an artist.”
A Keeper for the City
With Adelaide, The Keeper of the Garden, Melina Scotte has not only brightened a parking garage but also left a lasting mark on Elmhurst’s cultural identity. The mural stands as both a personal expression and a shared symbol, a reminder that beauty, like a garden, flourishes when tended with care.
