Twins and TCU graduates Susan Gruppi and Jessica Worman, 29, fulfilled a dream in November 2014 when they joined forces and founded their commercial real estate company, M2G Ventures. They achieved another in January when local artist Katie Murray, 30, completed the mural "Dream on Dreamer" at The Crossing at Camp Bowie (formerly Locke Blocke) after 30 hours of work.
After a little more than a year, M2G Ventures has acquired about $18 million worth of property around Fort Worth. But, these business owners envision more than just dollar signs. "We are insisting on some type of public art or thought-provoking mural at each of our projects," said Worman.
Their first major acquisition, an unassuming strip center that houses Szechuan Chinese Restaurant and Rocco's Pizza, now has little chance of ever going unnoticed, thanks to Murray's mural. Named "Dream on Dreamer," the mural encompasses the twins" path to success and Murray's path to art.
"Susan and I have always been told to dream big, and we wanted to impart a little of that mindset on our buildings to inspire others to keep pushing their limits," says Worman. "It was a big leap of faith to leave our companies to start our own business so [dreaming] is a common theme of ours, and one that Katie shares."
Although the painting is partially abstract, when pressed on "the dreamer," Murray knows her well. "She's hip. She's true to Fort Worth style but not super cliché."
The art at The Crossing is the first of three public art pieces from Murray with the "dreaming" theme. The next will show up at 200 Carroll St. this spring followed by a third mural on Magnolia later this year.
See "Dream on Dreamer" at 5700 Locke Ave. katiepaintbrush.com
