Today, in 2025, whether you’re driving around town or taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Hamilton, you’re likely to see murals of everything from Alexander Hamilton…to Joe Nuxall, delicate origami…to larger than life robots. With each painted scene being as captivating and impressive as the next. Thanks to the amazing work of the public art program, StreetSpark, our city continues to attract gifted artists who are so graciously sharing their talents with our city.
One of those artists is Orlando native, and recent Hamilton transplant, Brett Tachi.
Growing up, Brett knew she loved art. Armed with natural talent and a sketch pad, she would work day in and day out on her craft. She honed her skills, tried different mediums, found her own style, her own vision, and upon graduation…with a bit of eagerness balanced with cautious optimism…she began to put herself out into the fantastical world of art more and more.
Living in Orlando, Brett had the incredible opportunity to begin doing murals inside vacation homes. From Disney characters and Marvel superheroes…to stunning landscapes and intricate ornamental designs, Brett painted it all. It was work that she appreciated and valued because of the experience it gave her, but there was also a part of her that needed more. She knew she needed to branch out and try new things. She needed to challenge herself.
Loving the grand scale that mural painting affords, Brett continued to find work both as a solo artist and as part of collectives in the mural world.
With over 100 pieces of work to her name, including a mind bending display for Blink in Cincinnati titled, “The Wentzel House”, Brett has a resume that’s as varied as it is impressive. Recently though, she was approached with an opportunity to do a mural that was exciting, for obvious reasons, but also deeply meaningful. In a rather serendipitous turn that would send her back to her home state of Orlando, Brett would begin working on a mural for none other…than Disney!
The mural, titled “Memento”, would be part of the extremely popular, Disney Springs Art Walk. For Brett, to be chosen to paint a mural for Disney was not only an honor, but it also came during AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month. As the great-granddaughter of Japanese immigrants, it was such a special project for her to be a part of. For Brett to have the chance to reverently acknowledge her heritage as well as pay homage to those who came before her, it was a gift.
“Momento”, is a stunning tribute to Brett’s great-grandparents as well as her grandparents. Having immigrated to the United States in the 1900’s from Japan, her great-grandparents opened a plant nursery in Santa Barbara, California. Sadly though, they would have no choice but to leave it all behind when they were sent to an internment camp during WW2. They persevered though, they were resilient, and today, their great-granddaughter is sharing their story through the moving power of art. Brett’s artwork featured persimmons, which are traditionally, in Japanese culture, given as a gift. They represent good luck, longevity and good fortune. She also featured a stunning persimmon tree. The tree is a delightful depiction of her literal “family tree”, but on a deeper level…it also so poignantly pays homage to her family and their beginnings owning a plant nursery. Even the roots are symbolic. Deep and strong, growing through the rocky foundation it’s been planted in. It’s an inspiring reminder of just how her family, even through the toughest of conditions and hardest of times, were able to grow a beautiful family. A legacy.
For Brett to be able to celebrate both her family and her heritage, something that wasn’t always afforded to her great-grandparents and grandparents, was truly an honor and something she doesn’t take for granted.
Now, back in Hamilton, Brett’s fully settling into being a Hamiltonian. Not only is she loving it here and finding the people to be as kind as they are welcoming. But she’s also enjoying the amazing pops of art that are displayed all around our eclectic city.
Additionally, she shared that, “Coming from Orlando, which can feel huge, I love how Hamilton has a bigger city vibe, like I’m used to, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s a perfect combination of “big city” mixed with a tight-knit community.”
Brett’s also been busy this summer working with StreetSpark. With them, she and a collective of other artists have been bringing to life the Living Water mural (which is viewable from 9th Street). The mural is a vivid, bright, image of a young girl whose face is full of hopefulness and graceful determination. It’s an inspiring nod to the spirit, strength and hope that the surrounding neighborhood has for the future as a whole…as well as their lives on a much deeper personal level. The stunning mural is both a statement piece and a reminder to everyone who looks at it, that sometimes we could all use a bit of childlike optimism.
Having painted so many murals in her life thus far, in such varying environments, I had to ask, “What do you think it is about murals that people connect with? And why do you think they continue to gain popularity?”
She thought for a second and said, “Ya know, I think it’s bringing art to people who may not experience it otherwise. It makes it accessible. And I think murals continue to get more popular because really…they’re just doing what art has always done…it’s making people feel things, it makes them think and it draws them in. But it’s doing it outside the walls of an art exhibit or museum. It’s art for everyone.”