Mural at Pulse nightclub reminder of ‘hope in the world,' artist says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — People went beyond the security fence at Pulse for the first time since the June 12 attack, as the community used art to stand up against bullying of the LGBTQ community.

Artists unveiled a new memorial at Pulse nightclub created, in part, by the community.

The new mural, which the people added to with written messages, will sit behind the commemorative fence that surrounds the nightclub.

The artists said it's the kind of artwork that will be constantly changing because everyone can take part in it.

They said they were excited to show it to the community, and they hope it will encourage everyone to add their own personal touch to it.

The artists behind the latest Pulse nightclub memorial said the massacre that took 49 lives and injured 53 others left them wanting to give a voice to those who no longer had one.

"Instantly it just flared up a fight inside of me that I couldn't ignore, and I couldn't deny, and that kind of just led me here,” said artist Natts Getty.

Getty and an artist who goes by Me. Brainwash are from Los Angeles.

The artists said they wanted to shed light on the unity that emerged from the Pulse tragedy--something that has been evident in the many tributes and memorials surrounding the nightclub on the commemorative fence.

The group chose Thursday night to unveil the mural in honor of Spirit Day, a tradition observed since 2010 that is meant to take a stand against bullying, and to support the LGBTQ community.

"We have to continuously serve as a reminder that there is good and hope in the world,” said Shelley Zalis, founder of the Girls’ Lounge which aims to advance women’s equality.

"What I would love for people to see when they look at Pulse now, is hope," said Getty.

The artists were still working hard to prepare the unveiling of the mural late into the night.

Cox Media Group