Joanne Tawfilis — Founder & Visionary
Joanne Tawfilis is an internationally recognized artist, educator, and humanitarian whose life’s work is dedicated to using art as a tool for peace, healing, and global connection. As the founder of the Art Miles Mural Project, she has inspired a worldwide movement that brings together artists, students, and communities to create murals that transcend borders and unite cultures.
Her journey began in Bosnia, where she worked with children affected by war. In one defining moment, she encountered a bullet hole–ridden blanket—a powerful symbol of conflict, survival, and untold stories. That moment became the foundation of her vision: to transform pain into expression and to give individuals around the world a voice through art.
Together with her late husband, Fouad Tawfilis, who stood beside her as co-founder and partner in purpose, they built Art Miles into a global movement rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that art can bring people together across all boundaries. Their shared vision continues to live on through every mural created and every life touched.
Through her leadership, the Art Miles Mural Project has grown to include more than 500,000 participants from over 120 countries, resulting in over 6,000 murals and more than twelve miles of collaborative artwork. These murals have been exhibited internationally, including at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and continue to serve as a visual language of peace and shared humanity .
Dr. Tawfilis is a retired United Nations executive, having served in leadership roles with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). She has been widely recognized for her contributions to peace and education, receiving honors such as the Bob Marley Peace Award, the United Nations Association Peacemaker of the Year Award, and international recognition for her work in human rights, youth empowerment, and cultural dialogue .
Her work continues through the Murid Arts and Cultural Center and Mural Museum in Oceanside, California—the first museum in the world dedicated entirely to murals and a hub for education, community engagement, and global artistic collaboration .
Deeply personal to her journey, the memory of her daughter lives on through this work—reflected in the spirit of creativity, resilience, and love that is carried into every mural and every community Art Miles touches.
Through ongoing global initiatives and partnerships aligned with UNESCO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Art Miles continues to evolve. Current collaborations and visionary projects—including cultural and educational journeys connected to the Flagship for Peace (Odyssey)—are creating opportunities for murals to travel, be exhibited at UNESCO World Heritage sites, and engage communities around the world in meaningful, creative dialogue.
In this way, the work of Art Miles continues quietly but powerfully—expanding its reach, connecting cultures, and building not only miles of murals, but lasting bridges between people across the globe.
Art has the power to heal, connect, and transform the world—one mural at a time.
