Around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday vandals destroyed a mural supporting Ukraine on the side of Hart Studios, 8811 N. Harborview Dr.

“My sister drove by the studio this morning around 7 a.m. and saw the mural covered in red and blue paint. When she told me someone vandalized my mural, I thought in my head maybe they just tagged it or put a red X over it. When I saw it, I was taken aback how bad it was,” muralist Hillarie Isackson said.

There was almost $1,000 worth of damage to the building: oil based paint splashed all over the exterior wall of Hart Studio. The courtyard floor of Devoted Kiss Cafe next door also sustained paint damage. Paint footprints led all the way to Anthony’s restaurant down the street.

“Now I am scared and wondering will I get attacked if I do this again? Was this a personal attack on me? But, the community instantly wanted to help and donate what they could,” Isackson said.

The wall on the side of Hart Studios has been empty since a holiday mural came down. Isackson has been waiting for city funding to come through for the next mural.

“I found out everyone in our building has ties to Ukraine and the city gave me the go ahead so I began painting the temporary Ukraine mural on Monday,” Isackson said.

COURTESY PHOTO • HILLARIE ISACKSON

This mural was completed by Hillarie Isackson on Tuesday, on the side of Hart Studios in Gig Harbor, WA.

On Tuesday, the colorful mural of a large sunflower and outline of a map of Ukraine was finished for the town to see. By Wednesday night, it was ruined.

“It’s crazy. This was just something I did without pay, because I wanted to do it. Then to have this happen, I am very set back. My plan is to start working on it today and have it re-done by tomorrow,” Isackson said Thursday.

COURTESY PHOTO • HAYLEY NICHOLS, THE OWNER OF ALLOVUS

A mural in support of Ukraine by Hillarie Isackson was vandalized in Gig Harbor.

Isackson didn’t just correct the mural, but spent the night incorporating the red and blue paint from the vandalism into an entirely new piece. The new mural features the Ukrainian flag, the United States flag, and flowers that represent the nations supporting Ukraine. A quote at the bottom says: “Love will prevail.”

CHEYENNE BOONE • CBOONE@THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Hillarie Isackson poses for a portrait in front of a mural she painted on the side of her studio in support of Ukraine, in Gig Harbor, Wash. on Friday, April 8, 2022. Isackson’s original mural was vandalized and she spent an entire night recreating a new piece incorporating the vandalism to represent Ukraine and her community’s resilience.

The investigation into the vandalism of the original mural is ongoing.

Police have video footage from across the street of two suspects approaching the mural with paint buckets and rollers on sticks. After rolling over the mural with paint, they took off.

“It is very disappointing and sad to see. We have taken a report and we are working on solving this one and looking for leads,” Police Chief Kelly Busey said.

The Gig Harbor Police Department asks anyone with tips to call (253)-851-2236.

CHEYENNE BOONE • CBOONE@THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

A mural in support of Ukraine can been seen on the side of Hillarie Isackson’s studio, who created the mural, in Gig Harbor, Wash. on Friday, April 8, 2022.