Windsor resident Shuwei Zhu says she began drawing sidewalk murals near her home as a way of showing support for friends who are frontline and essential workers.

"I picked up some chalk — some kid's chalk — and I started drawing on my sidewalk, on my porch, just to show appreciation," said Zhu, who worked in customer service at a fitness centre and coached high school basketball before the COVID-19 pandemic began

After her murals began to receive attention, Zhu was contacted by Sawyer Telegdy — a former co-worker — to produce a mural for her business.

According to Zhu, she and Telegdy, who owns the Shred Shop fitness facility on Erie Street, "thought we should … throw it on the windows and show appreciation for our community."

Zhu said she doesn't consider herself an artist, explaining that art is something she's "always been decent at."

"I thought, why not just use it to make people smile," she said.

In lieu of payment, Zhu said she and Telegdy have "made an agreement to donate to a local food bank."