Leslie Knope: [aside to camera] I know everything about this town and these murals. And that's why this is a dream come true. Literally. I have had a dream where I designed a mural. But then it turned into a nightmare, because the mural started talking, and it came alive and it was whispering. And I couldn't hear what it was saying, so I leaned in close, and then it ate me. At one point, Gina Gershon was there.

Ann: Okay. Let's see yours.
Tom: Fine. Mine is amazing. It's going to blow your mind. [Tom is unsure which way to orientate the painting] Okay. This is some professional-ass art right here.
Leslie Knope: I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at.
Tom: It's abstract, Leslie. Over here, you've got some shapes. And then you come over to this side... You know, it's actually kind of interesting. Each shape is its own thing. But then when it comes together, it really gives you a sense of completion. Hmm.
[aside to camera:]
Tom: A piece of art caused me to have an emotional reaction. Is that normal?

Leslie Knope: [aside to camera] I don't think they really got the assignment. If we're gonna beat all the other departments, we have to choose something that will stand the test of time. Like the Mona Lisa. Or the music of Squeeze.

Joe: Hey, Leslie. What's your design going to be? A tree?
Leslie Knope: Joe, you work in Sewage. Your department literally specializes in crap. You really want to do this?
Joe: I told you before. "Crap" is a slang term. And I don't like that term. But at least we don't specialize in losing, like you guys. Sewage. Let's roll.
Tom: Damn! How does Sewage always get the hottest interns?

Leslie Knope: Guys, this department has the chance to design something that could be in this building forever. This could be our legacy.
Ann: I thought building a park on Lot 48 was going to be our legacy.
Leslie Knope: Well, you can have two legacies. Look at Madonna. Great singer, amazing arms.
Tom: Look at O.J. Simpson. Heisman Trophy winner, Naked Gun.

Leslie Knope: Anyway, I'm ordering all of you to design a mural.
Tom: Uh, only Ron can order the whole department to do something.
Leslie Knope: Ron, order them to do this.
Ron Swanson: [o.s.] Do whatever Leslie says.
Leslie Knope: Ha-haa! Okay, so here are your supplies. I want you to go and find the spirit of Pawnee. And make me a sketch. And it needs to be breathtaking and moving and historical and better than every department. And you have one hour.
[aside to camera:]
Leslie Knope: [drawl] Designers. Make it work. Tim Gunn.

Arnold: So, what are you looking for exactly?
Tom: I don't know, man. "The spirit of Pawnee." That's all I got. Here. Just give me $20 worth of art. Just something that seems personal, that only I could have done.
Arnold: Tell me about yourself.
Tom: No. Just paint.
[aside to camera:]
Tom: I have no interest in art. Let me clarify. I have no interest in non-nude images.

Tom: Dude, what the hell kind of art is this? It looks like a lizard puking up Skittles.
Arnold: I'm an abstract expressionist.
Tom: No, you're a con artist. And I'm a guy that's out 20 bucks. Ugh. Whatever.

Ron Swanson: [aside to camera] I... I don't know what happened. Frankly. I emitted a noise. The noise was involuntary. Sometimes, a sound is just a sound. You know?

Tom: Look, there's something about those shapes. There's some emotional art right there.
April: Any kid could do that.
Tom: No kid could do that. Only God could do that.
Donna: What is so great about the shapes?