ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal Animal Shelter has been accomplishing a lot of work in recent months, and soon, the shelter’s interior will see a new look.
Local citizen Kristyn Reust, who also works with the City of Liberal, is currently working on a mural for the shelter, and she said the idea for the project was rather recently inspired.
“I was already working with the shelter on an operational level, and in those conversations I spend a lot of time asking about their needs, hopes, and how I can better support their mission,” Reust said. “During one of those discussions, someone mentioned, almost in passing, the idea of a mural to help make the adoption family room feel more like home. That really stuck with me. From there, we started collaborating on the vision, the animals, colors, and overall feeling, and now it’s incredibly rewarding to see it come to life in a way that reflects the shelter’s stories and heart. Everything officially got started a few weekends ago, and I’m anticipating it will take 35 to 40 hours. I’m only able to work on it during the weekends, so I’ll get as much done as I can during those hours, allowing drying time in between layers. I’ve really been involved in the arts my whole life in one form or another, whether it’s visual art, theatre, music, writing, and creating in different ways. I grew up in a very creative family, so exploring different artistic outlets was always encouraged. That foundation gave me a deep appreciation for creativity and the freedom to keep learning and experimenting over the years.”
Reust added the Liberal Animal Shelter and its mission are rather near and dear to her, and the collaboration with shelter staff was amazing.
“The animal shelter is very close to my heart, and during our conversations they shared an idea for creating a more welcoming space in their adoption room. I just happened to have the skills to help bring that vision to life,” Reust said. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to collaborate with them throughout the process, and I truly hope the final piece reflects how much they care for the animals and the community. My biggest hope is that years from now, people will still walk into that room, smile, and feel an immediate sense of warmth and possibility. If the mural helps even one more animal find a loving home, or helps families feel more connected during the adoption process, then it will have a lasting impact far beyond the paint itself. One of my favorites was Boxer Bertha, because she carries a special story connected to the shelter. I really enjoyed trying to capture her personality and making her a forever piece of the shelter. The best ideas came from listening — to the shelter staff, their stories, and their vision for the space. It also reminded me that art can have a very real impact on how people feel when they walk into a room, and that even small creative contributions can support something much bigger than the artwork itself.”
Reust said there are a few lessons she has learned along the way with the project.
“With any large creative project, there are always little surprises, whether that’s adjusting colors once they’re on the wall or discovering new details that make the piece stronger than originally planned. Some of the best moments came from being flexible and letting the mural evolve naturally while still staying true to the overall vision,” Reust said. “For a lot of the painting, I have an animal in the room with me. It helps them have more one on one time, and more space. That also means there might be some paint paw prints on the floor, but that makes me love the space even more.”
As for future projects? Reust said never say never.
“I’d definitely be open to more community murals. I actually have a few upcoming projects I’m really excited about, so I’m just focusing on one at a time and enjoying the process as each new opportunity comes along,” Reust said. “I see my roles as an artist and as a City of Liberal leader complementary but very clearly defined. My work with the city is about supporting our community’s long-term needs and resources, while this mural is purely a personal volunteer effort as a local artist. Both come from the same place, wanting to contribute positively to Liberal, but this project is something I chose to do on my own time because I care deeply about the shelter and the work they do. As an artist, I can probably come up with more ideas than I know what to do with, but that’s where collaboration becomes really important. Every project I take on, whether it’s murals, photography, or branding, is a shared creative process. Some ideas work right away, and others become stepping stones to something even better. I’ll always have artistic visions for a space, but my biggest priority is making sure the final piece reflects the message and feeling the organization or community wants to share. In many ways, it’s their vision, I’m just helping bring it to life.”
Overall, Reust said, she is excited for the project taking shape.
“My biggest hope is that years from now, people will still walk into that room, smile, and feel an immediate sense of warmth and possibility. If the mural helps even one more animal find a loving home, or helps families feel more connected during the adoption process, then it will have a lasting impact far beyond the paint itself,” Reust said. “If you haven’t been out to the shelter, whether thats visiting, volunteering, or looking to adopt, go. I adopted from the shelter a couple years ago, and while she may have needed me, I absolutely needed her also.”
