A sweeping new mural inside the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown offers more than just a colorful welcome — it stands as a vibrant tribute to the values of peace, justice and unity that continue to shape the county’s identity.
Titled “Bucks County: Rooted in Peace, Justice and Community,” the expansive work by Philadelphia-based muralist Kala Hagopian and her team at Hagopian Arts was unveiled last week on the first floor of the county’s courthouse complex.
Funded by a $29,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the piece was created with support from the Bucks County Commissioners, the Division of Human Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association, according to a news release from Bucks County.
Commissioners, community members and law enforcement partners gathered to mark the occasion, highlighting the mural as both an artistic achievement and a collaborative triumph.
“It is art that really shows us who we are and shows us who we can be,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “It is art that reveals so much of who we are as a people, as a country, as a society – and we see that here.”
From studio to courthouse
As with all of Hagopian’s murals, this piece began in her West Philadelphia studio, painted section by section on polytab — a flexible, fabric-like surface that allows for detailed artistry and safe transport. Her process included paint-by-number style workshops that made the design accessible for all ages and abilities to help bring to life.
Three public painting events invited local police officers, co-responders, social workers, probation officers, and residents to contribute their brushstrokes, creating not just art, but conversation and connection.
The artist said she was grateful to be trusted with such a meaningful vision.
“Being able to express your community values and really paint a picture, literally, of Bucks County and connection between all facets of the people who live here and come into this building,” Hagopian said at the unveiling, per a Bucks County news release.
After the public painting sessions, Hagopian and her team refined the mural with delicate brushwork, realistic highlights, and expert finishing touches to unify each component.
Symbols of heritage and hope
The mural’s imagery is rich with meaning and detail. Anchoring the center is Lady Justice, her scales balanced and her base rooted in intertwining hands of all skin tones — a visual metaphor for fairness, equity, and shared humanity.
Surrounding her are a constellation of Bucks County touchstones:
Hagopian also embedded her personal story within the work. Her son, Kai, not only helped paint parts of the mural but appears in the design itself.
Her father and sister traveled from Vermont to assist, and her longtime studio assistant, Helen Harvey, contributed deeply throughout the process.
“At the heart of this work is the belief that public art is a vital force for connection,” Hagopian wrote on her website. “It cultivates a shared sense of belonging and sparks the ripple effects of care and community.”
A legacy in color and care
Now permanently installed in a building where matters of law, justice, and community service unfold daily, the mural stands as a visual reminder that compassion and connection are essential to public life.
The experience also built trust between neighbors and officials, one brushstroke at a time.
“The result of this collaboration is a beautiful testament to what can be created if we see one another as equals and as friends we just haven’t met yet,” the artist’s website states.
To explore more about the mural and its components, visit HagopianArts.com.
All photos courtesy Bucks County/Hagopian Arts
