A garden of yellow sunflowers and a mountain in the background decorates a side of the Sunnyslope Historical Museum building.

But the work of local muralist Eli Faria is more than striking, it is meaningful.

“The meaning behind choosing the sunflowers was to signify the resilience of Sunnyslope," Rene Blain, a member of the community's historical society, said.

Sunflowers are hearty plants and represent loyalty and longevity, according to a city release.

“Many people may not know this, but (Sunnyslope) was actually here before Phoenix."

The historical society unveiled the mural this month. It was paid for with grant funding assistance from Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department's Love Your Block program.

During the unveiling, Debra Stark, who represents District 3 on the Phoenix City Council, said the historical society “really does so much to keep the history (of Sunnyslope) alive.

“This is one of the most special places in the entire city of Phoenix. I don't know what it is about Sunnyslope, but it is magical."

Blain said she hopes the mural will make the museum, 737 E. Hatcher Road, a place for more people to visit to learn about the history of the area.

This is Faria's fourth mural in the Sunnyslope area. His past works include the mural for Norton Vista Neighborhood Association on the corner of Hatcher and Cave Creek, also funded through the Love Your Block program, and the mural inside the Sunnyslope Youth Center as part of the grant from the Netflix show, On My Block.

With his art, Faria said he “hopes to inspire the minds of the youth, invigorate our culture and give back a little beauty to this world."