The iconic Van Gogh House in Mount Dora is shining brighter thanks to the hands and hearts of local students who participated in its recent refresh as part of the “Brightening of Stars” event, scheduled for its grand unveiling on April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

“Painting art and being here is an incredible honor because I’ve never been at a monument before,” says Alexander Martinez, an 18-year-old senior at Alee Academy. “Actually being involved in painting the house is even a bigger honor than just looking at it.”

The project, organized in partnership with Florida Paints and supported by community donors and leaders, aims to refresh the home’s symbolic design, originally created by Nancy Nemhauser for her son with autism. The home’s “Starry Night” mural has become a beloved landmark and source of inspiration throughout Central Florida.

“It’s a great idea, especially the kids at Alee, because they replicated it on their campus,” says Eustis Mayor Willie Hawkins. “To come out here and see how excited the kids are to be a part of it — I think it’s amazing.”

Mayor Hawkins reflected on the emotional symbolism behind the house.

“This is a guy from Eustis talking about art in Mount Dora, and I do consider this a work of art,” he says. “The stories behind her painting this for her son to find his way home, and everything she went through to make it happen. To come to this place where you have kids helping to freshen it up — it’s a feel-good story. The community is getting involved.”

Alee Academy art teacher Kaylee Attwell said her students were eager to take part in the community collaboration.

“We’re very, very excited,” she says. “We wanted to do a long mural at our school, and Van Gogh has been my favorite artist since I was a kid. A lot of our students wouldn’t necessarily have the chance to be featured in something like this. It’s just so great for them to get involved in their community in a positive way.”

Documentary director Lionel “Lee” Montells, who is chronicling the project for an upcoming film titled Starry Fight: A Canvas for the World, shared his global vision for the movement.

“I believe this is the beginning of a great thing,” he says. “I think this snowball will roll around the world. If we have more houses like this throughout the world, it could be something amazing.”

The unveiling on April 29 will include a ribbon cutting, the debut of an Infinity Symbol mural created by autistic artists and remarks from Nancy, Lee and Florida Paints representatives.

“This symbol is for people who are lost,” Lee says. “What Nancy went through, it wasn’t easy. But from that pain, something beautiful is happening.”