A 26m mural seen by 400K daily commuters in São Paulo

“Acolhida,” by Italian artist Edoardo Ettorre, opens April 21 at Arsenal da Esperança, celebrating 30 years of social work in São Paulo.

A monumental mural measuring 26 meters wide by 8 meters tall is set to transform the outer wall of Arsenal da Esperança, in the Mooca neighborhood of São Paulo’s east side. The work, titled “Acolhida” (Welcome), is by Italian muralist Edoardo Ettorre and will be unveiled on April 21, 2026, at 3 PM. Positioned alongside the CPTM Line 10-Turquoise, between Brás and Juventus-Mooca stations, the mural is estimated to be seen by approximately 400,000 commuters per day, according to Estadão Mobilidade data (2025).

A gesture that defines thirty years

The image is quietly powerful: a man living on the streets, seated on the ground, receives an outstretched hand from another person helping him rise. That gesture encapsulates the entire mission of Arsenal da Esperança — to support, lift, and rebuild lives. The mural marks the institution’s 30th anniversary and was created in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of São Paulo, with curation by Giulia Lavinia Lupo of She Wolf by Giulia.

Ettorre was born in 1994 in Giulianova, in Italy’s Abruzzo region, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished voices in contemporary Italian muralism. He traveled to Brazil specifically for this project and has produced around 60 murals across Italy and internationally. “The role of street art is also to convey powerful messages, especially of hope. In a context like this, that becomes even more meaningful,” he said.

Art shaped by the people it depicts

Before starting the painting, Ettorre visited the shelter and spent time with the men it serves. That encounter reshaped the work. “Getting the people of the place involved is always enriching, especially in such a unique context. It’s an exchange that would rarely happen otherwise,” the artist said. Curator Giulia Lavinia Lupo noted the depth of the experience: “Getting to know the space and the people brought a much deeper dimension to the whole project. Edoardo himself said he was struck by the atmosphere — a calm, welcoming energy that contrasts with São Paulo’s usual intensity.”

São Paulo’s largest men’s shelter

Arsenal da Esperança is the largest shelter for men in the city of São Paulo, providing daily care to 1,200 men in situations of social vulnerability — both Brazilian and foreign nationals. Housed in the historic former Hospedaria de Imigrantes building at Rua Dr. Almeida Lima, 900, the institution was founded in 1996 by Ernesto Olivero and Dom Luciano Pedro Mendes de Almeida, under the Associação Assindes Sermig. It offers vocational training, a library, sports facilities, and support groups (NA and AA), among other services. Key partners include the São Paulo City Hall (SMADS), SENAI, and SEBRAE.

The institution has received dozens of awards for its social work, including the Salva de Prata — the highest honor of the São Paulo City Council — granted in December 2024. The mural also resonates with the 2026 Fraternity Campaign, focused on the theme of housing. “Housing is not just physical structure — it is a right, dignity, and belonging. May this work inspire each person to reflect on this fundamental need. Because to welcome is to recognize that no one should walk alone,” said Father Simone Bernardi, director of the Arsenal.

Public art with a purpose

The mural’s placement is deliberate. The CPTM stretch where it will be visible has deep historical ties to immigration between the port of Santos and São Paulo — the same territory where Arsenal da Esperança now shelters people from all over Brazil and beyond. “We wanted to create a work capable of speaking to a public that passes by the Arsenal every day but still doesn’t know what happens inside,” explained Father Simone Bernardi.

For the curator, urban art has the unique ability to shift how people perceive the spaces they inhabit. “More than just being present, the work helps build new perspectives on the territory and the stories it holds,” said Giulia Lavinia Lupo.

Event Info

• Event: Unveiling of the “Acolhida” Mural
• Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 3 PM
• Venue: Salão Vida Fraterna, Arsenal da Esperança — Rua Dr. Almeida Lima, 900, Mooca, São Paulo
• Curation: Giulia Lavinia Lupo (She Wolf by Giulia)
• In partnership with: Italian Cultural Institute of São Paulo
• How to help: PIX CNPJ 62.459.409/0001-28 (Associação Assindes Sermig) | Banco Santander: Ag. 0144 – Conta 13-003147-6 | Also via Nota Fiscal Paulista or volunteering
• Contact: arsenaldobrasil@gmail.com | +55 11 94235-3233
• Website: arsenaldaesperanca.org.br
• Social media: IG: @arsenal_da_esperanca | YT: @arsenaldobrasil | FB: facebook.com/arsenaldaesperanca