Margaret Kops Kuveke, MKK Murals

Margaret Kops Kuveke, a local muralist also known by her artist name, MKK Murals, received a Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS) AND an Artist in Community Grant in 2026.

Margaret says: "I feel grateful to be an artist in Ithaca -- being part of a community supported by CAP connects artists with the resources needed to help materialize their dreams!”

With the SOS grant, Margaret invested in technology that has transformed her design and transfer process, including the purchase of a Meta Quest 3S and a new iPad Pro. The Meta Quest headset has incredible applications in muraling, allowing her to efficiently transfer her digital designs to large-scale walls without the constraints of other traditional methods, such as projectors.

Since receiving the SOS grant, Margaret has painted out-of-state and local murals with the help of this new equipment. This includes the creation of three new murals in downtown Ithaca. In April, she painted The World Around Us on the back of Bookies Sports Bar & Lounge and in May, her mural Our Ithaca went up on the Ithaca Commons Cornell Store with assistance from students at New Roots Charter School.

Her third downtown mural this year, Legend of the Monday Thing on the Community Foundation building, was made possible through the Artist in Community Grant. This community mural was designed and painted in collaboration with the MondayThing Homeschool Collective, aged 10-15.

For insights into Margaret’s creative process, follow along on Instagram - @mkkmurals or check out her portfolio at mkkmurals.com.