LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Jamie Naluai, from JustPaintNow.com, has spent two decades transforming everyday spaces in Southern Maryland into community art galleries, while also teaching art to students, from kindergarten to lifelong learners.
Jamie Naluai traced her start in the art scene to more than 20 years ago when she started her freelance muralist business while living in State College, Pennsylvania. Then she moved to Southern Maryland, where she found herself in an emerging art district, sharing her art with community centers, schools and libraries to get her local portfolio started.
“I went into the library and I said, ‘Hey, I do murals, and I’d like to paint something in this library for free, just to get into this scene here and take some pictures,’” Naluai said. “And they said, ‘Sure!’”
Her earliest push to pick up a paintbrush came from a mentor at home. “My grandmother told me to always do art,” Naluai said. “If you love art, if it’s your passion, just do it. You can make money. You can do it.”
Teaching anchors her practice and solidifies her passion for community engagement. Her classes range from small projects to large group murals, and while she expressed joy in teaching youth, Naluai said that adults are just as exciting to work with because they have that youth and creativity within them.
“I love teaching adults. They’re my favorite,” Naluai said. “Oh no, I can’t say that, because I teach K–99, and all of them bring something to the table.”
Her message for everyone who apologized before they tried to paint and everyone else who may be nervous to try: “Yes, you can do art. Anybody can do art.” With the right tools and an invitation to find a brush stroke, anyone can unlock artistic confidence at any age.
Naluai held residencies with local schools and even turned fifth graders into design teams. Students learned to measure a wall, draft designs, choose color and present to their audience while working together and gaining professional-level design experience. Naluai said that she was happy when learners brought their families to see their finished work and say, “I did that.” That same spirit continues during the week at Bay Montessori, where she teaches across K to eighth grade.
Her curriculum is designed to move through the elements of art with a monthly focus on artists that students can study and borrow technique from before trying a new medium. The approach is historical, and it mirrors her own practice of weaving local history into public projects.
Naluai often embraced the quirks of structures and walls. Windows, HVAC systems and even alarms became elements, not obstacles. She explained how she made building features part of the story. The approach reflects a larger method of celebrating what a place already offers.
Public art now dots St. Mary’s County at libraries, parks and downtown corridors. Naluai is quick to credit the local artist network that helped her find projects and community. Highly motivated to be an active member of the community, Naluai is always focused on the next class, the next wall and the next group of learners ready to pick up a brush.
Naluai seamlessly blended public art and public learning. On her outdoor mural titled “Where Art and Agriculture Meet” in Leonardtown Square, she integrated Maryland’s agricultural heritage, included a historic lighthouse and even added a little girl’s favorite insect, the ladybug. Situating her mural as a timeless attraction for St. Mary’s County, a lesson in history and a community design.
As Leonardtown leans into public art to welcome visitors and enliven downtown, Naluai’s murals and teaching expand the definition of hometown artist. She puts color on brick and confidence in people. In her words, “Yes, you can do art. Anybody can do. Art.”
Leonardtown’s Growing Art Scene
Leonardtown has become the cultural heart of St. Mary’s County, blending its historic charm with a modern creative pulse. It is the only designated Arts and Entertainment District in Southern Maryland, a recognition by the Maryland State Arts Council that supports tax incentives and development programs for artists and creative businesses. The designation has helped transform Leonardtown into a destination for both residents and visitors who come to experience its public art, boutique galleries and lively downtown events.
Naluai credits the collaboration between the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, the St. Mary’s County government, and business owners for helping Leonardtown grow into a creative hub.
“Oh, it’s amazing,” Naluai said. “I get to work hand in hand with the Arts Council, and they are fabulous people, because this is an art scene, and they actually put a lot into it.”
The St. Mary’s County Arts Council, based in downtown Leonardtown, supported community artists and organized programs that bring art into public spaces. The council sponsors events like First Fridays, art walks, and plein air exhibits, and it helped fund public murals, teaching residencies and community workshops. Partnerships with local government made art a visible part of Leonardtown’s revitalization, turning blank walls and quiet alleys into colorful landmarks and perfect places for taking pictures.
“They’ve put a lot of effort into creating this place as a hip and fun place to come,” Naluai said. “Art is part of that.”
From the murals of L-Town Alley to outdoor performances on the square, art has become central to Leonardtown’s identity and economy. Restaurants, shops and studios now share space with galleries and creative collectives, attracting weekend visitors from across the region. Leonardtown’s waterfront, historic buildings and welcoming atmosphere have made it one of the trendy small communities to live in within Southern Maryland.
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