Windsor Muralist Already in Demand, Just One Year Out of Art School

Just one year after receiving her BFA in Illustration from the University of Hartford, Sophie Groenstein of Windsor has turned her passion for creating murals into a thriving business.

Through her company, Sophie Groenstein, LLC, she has designed and installed mural art and banners for a wide variety of clients that include SINA (Southside Institution Neighborhood Alliance) in Hartford, Back East Brewing in Bloomfield, Lucky Dog Refuge CT in Stamford, Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, Dom’s Broad Street Eatery in Windsor, and Harry’s Pizza in West Hartford.

Sophie’s most recent mural was completed earlier this month in only six days, overlooking the City of East Hartford’s Terry Pool. Her next work will be painted on site on the upper level of Hartford’s Parkville Market. In the next month, she will create murals at LesserEvil Snacks in Danbury, Conn., and inside Back East Brewing in Bloomfield, her second time painting at that location.

Many of her clients discovered her work via word-of-mouth or viewed her art on social media. In late summer, she was contracted by a California muralist to assist her with a project in Milford, Conn. Sophie creates some of her murals inside her Windsor garage studio space, but paints most of her projects directly onto walls or other surfaces.

Although educated in traditional fine arts, she taught herself how to paint at a large scale and dove into a world of murals. At a young age, she was introduced to the Hartford art scene and incredible muralists who were developing vacant walls and turning them into an immersive, public space. Her very first mural was installed in Windsor’s Sage Park Middle School in 2022, just months before graduating from the University of Hartford.

“Being able to express myself through murals influenced me to continuously learn about the history of a community through a new lens and perspective; uplifting the residents through respect and equity,” explains Sophie. The multi-faceted creator’s distinctive style emanates positivity and binds the dynamic spirit of the surrounding community so she can share their story, inspire reflection, and form connections. Her mission as a professional muralist is to empower those of all ages to find their inner artists and to represent communities of all backgrounds through her art.

In the last past year alone Sophie’s paintings and illustrations have been displayed at a variety of exhibitions including The Gallery at WeHa Brewing & Roasting Co.’s “Monthly Artist Pop-Up” in West Hartford, Hartford Art Space Showcase in Hartford, Windsor’s First Town Downtown’s Monarch Festival Art Pop-Up, Gastro Park in West Hartford, and Art for AIDS in Hartford.

A student in Hartford Public Schools from kindergarten through middle school, Sophie then attended and graduated from Windsor High School. Since her graduation from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford, she also has worked as an Adjunct Art Teacher in Community Mural Painting at both Connecticut’s Southington Art Center and Massachusetts’ Lighthouse Holyoke. As a teacher, she encourages students and mentees to foster teamwork, originality, and a sense of pride and to consider the impact of public art in communities. She inspires them to learn how murals can be created to promote cultural awareness, express community values, and beautify public spaces.

For more information about Sophie Groenstein, LLC and to view a gallery of her murals, paintings, drawings, and more, visit www.sophiegroenstein.com or call 860-508-2936.