The neighbourhood surrounding the Vasco da Gama sports court in Recife, Brasil, had fallen into a slump. The court was grey, walls were grey, the houses around it were grey. And disrepair was creeping into both the physical environment and the people within it. Paint brand, Suvinil, has one of its manufacturing facilities in nearby Jaboatão dos Guararapes. A grey mood didn’t fit with its larger Putting Color into Play Changes Everything campaign, built on the belief that colour has the power to transform spaces, strengthen communities and generate positive impact across neighbourhoods.

But Brazilian agency, BeHumble, had an idea. The agency helped Suvinil and NGO, Movimento União BR, to transform community through one of Brazil’s largest inhabited urban art interventions, beginning with the sports court, considered to be the heart of the neighbourhood, and connecting nearly 100 homes. The initiative was designed to reflect the community’s identity, aspirations and culture. Before any painting began, residents took part in the creative process, followed the development of the artwork and approved the intervention that brought colour to the neighbourhood. The intervention celebrates Recife’s culture, vibrant colours and creative spirit, establishing itself as one of the largest inhabited urban art interventions in Brazil.

Beyond the city’s cultural significance, Sunivil viewed the initiative, Color Changes Everything, as an opportunity to create lasting positive impact while bringing its ESG strategy to life.

“For Suvinil, being present in Recife goes far beyond carrying out a one-time initiative. We have a longstanding relationship with the region through our manufacturing facility in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, and we believe that Color Changes Everything when it creates real transformation in people’s lives. We found in Movimento União BR a partner that already works within the community, understands its needs and shares our vision of building lasting legacies,” stated Renato Firmiano, senior marketing director at Suvinil.

The project includes the complete renovation of the community sports court, as well as infrastructure improvements throughout the surrounding area, including an outdoor fitness space, a new children’s playground and new communal gathering areas.

“BeHumble was founded to do exactly this: connect culture, place and brands in a way that leaves something meaningful behind. Seeing Suvinil use color as a tool for belonging, within a community shaped by listening and collective participation, proves that the right idea, in the right hands, can create real transformation. That is exactly why we exist,” added Eduardo Cabral, CEO of BeHumble.

The renovated sports court was officially opened during the traditional Copinha Vasco da Gama, a local youth football tournament. Held annually for more than 20 years, the competition could not take place last year because of the poor condition of the facility. Now, with the renovation complete, the tournament has returned, bringing together eight local football teams in a celebration of community.

The initiative also extends its legacy through education. As part of the project, Suvinil and Movimento União BR partnered with the Back to School program, led by visual artist and graffiti artist, Ricardo Célio, to redefine the relationship between school spaces, culture and citizenship through urban art. At Gilberto Freyre State School, ten artists from Recife and the local community were invited to create artworks in areas selected by students. Before work on the murals began, students participated in urban art workshops, co-creation activities and listening sessions to identify their favourite places within the school and imagine how new colours and textures could positively transform their daily environment. The selected spaces were renovated and prepared to receive the artistic interventions, which began on July 14 and concluded with the official reopening of the school on July 17.

“Beyond bringing art and beauty to the community, this is a collective transformation developed alongside the residents of Vasco da Gama and approved by them. Listening, participation and the involvement of local leaders have been part of every stage of the project because we believe lasting solutions are built in partnership with the people who know and live the reality of the community,” stated Marcella Balthar, co-founder of Movimento União BR.

Throughout the project, residents also had access to Casa Suvinil, a dedicated community hub created as a space for support, connection and gathering. The venue hosted training courses, workshops, talks and other activities for local participants.

“Casa Suvinil was our way of experiencing the community in an authentic way. More than supporting a physical transformation, we wanted to be present, build meaningful connections and strengthen relationships throughout the entire process. We believe transformation happens through exchange, continuity and genuine closeness with people,” Renato Firmiano explained.

Credits

Client: Suvinil
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Renato Firmiano
Senior Marketing Manager: Romeu Escolástico Neto
Marketing Manager: Rebeca Petrilli
Marketing Specialists: Anna Clara Moreno, Ana Beatriz Rodrigues, Emily Santos & William Gibini
Corporate Communications & Sustainability Manager: Andrea Mitsiko Ferreira
Corporate Communications Consultant: Julia Paglerani Monteiro de Andrade

Agency: BeHumble
CEO: Eduardo Cabral
Chief Creative Officer: João Lovise
Creative Team: Brunna Pekny & Will Marinho
PMO: Laura Coelho
Planning: Henrique Kuniyosi
Social Media: Vinícius Nóbrega & Luiz Guilherme Martins
Executive Director: Tati Medeiros
Strategic Director: Matias Lovro
Media Agency: Vitrio

Production Company: Maria Rocha
Executive Producer: Tati Medeiros
Director: Matias Lovro
Director of Photography: João Albares
Camera Operators: Emerson Moraes, Lucas Marçal, Pedro GIF, João Albares & Cauã Sampaio
Camera Assistant: João Victor
Sound Operators: Ibanez Sweresig & Matheus Gomes
Still Photography: Pedro Gonçalves & Helder Santana
Aerial Cinematography: Thiago Tenório, João Albares & KR Drones
Post-Production Director: Matias Lovro
Post-Production Coordinator: Andrea Ramos
Editing & Finishing: Fernando Ruiz, Thiago Giovanny & Kenui Sena
Colour Grading: Regina Mimi
Motion Graphics: Henrique Oliveira
Audio Production: Olivier Dherte
Original Soundtrack Production: Zegon @ Tropkillaz

Content Production: Insigne Pro
Producer: Lucas Cassiel
Director of Photography: Cauã Sampaio
Storymaker: Beatriz Cavalcante
Post-Production Director: Thiago Giovanny
Editing & Finishing: Kenui Sena
Artistic Direction & Mural Intervention: Marquinho ATG & Tati Naara

Partners: Movimento União BR, Expresso Pintura & Oásis Tintas