This year’s theme of “express yourself” for the 2019 First Amendment Days concluded with a live mural creation completed by professional street artist and entrepreneur Timmy Ham.

This was the final event that was a part of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication’s week-long “First Amendment Days” celebration to commemorate the First Amendment.

“The inspiration behind that is just being able to create kind of the life I wanted to have,” Ham said. “So through art it’s enabled me to do that. I use bright, fun colors. It’s positive and it’s kind of how I want to live my life.” 

Ham said he is thankful for the First Amendment and how it has allowed him the freedom of expression. 

“Just being able to freely do what I want and share it with everybody else. You know, express myself in a way that I feel like I’m not bound to any sort of regulations,” Ham said.

As part of of Iowa State’s First Amendment Days, which is put on by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication annually, Ham created a mural for the school to put up for others to enjoy and to encourage others to express themselves in all sorts of ways.

Julie Roosa, the First Amendment Days coordinator and First Amendment specialist at Iowa State University, was so appreciative of Ham and his work, and how Ham embodies the theme of “express yourself.”

“We are all amazed by [Ham’s] work and to see it come together and allow [everyone] to watch your art. It has been an amazing experience,” Roosa said.

Roosa thanked Ham and his crew members for the work they’ve put in to help make this all happen.

“You know, you bring this positivity that you mentioned in your bio and its so clearly true. Thank you to your crew, Grayson (Jensen) and Katie (White). It’s really been just so fantastic to work with each and every one of you,” Roosa said.