Encircle Ohio Murals: Street art ranges from graffiti marring decaying neighborhoods to stunning artwork resembling an outdoor art museum. The cities of Ohio are a gorgeous example of the latter. They have sponsored endless art projects while mentoring the talents of aspiring youth.
Just outside the gates of the Toledo Zoological Gardens in Toledo, Ohio, is a railroad bridge over Anthony Wayne Trail. The mural is a delightful exhibit of the zoo’s residents, including this lion and hippo. Wall mural enthusiasts will also enjoy the artwork inside the zoo. Several were created over fifty years ago as part of the New Deal federal Work Progress Administration program. Recently, Forest “Woody” La Plante, one of the original artists, was invited back by the Arts Council of Greater Toledo to restore them.
Shadowlawn Dr. & Marlboro St, Toledo, OH 43609
The Rolling Stones became a vital part of the British Invasion in the 1960s. They helped reshape music for over 50 years. Their contributions to popular music, along with numerous other iconic musicians, are brilliantly exhibited in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. This “Tongue and Lip Design” logo used to greet visitors at the front door. John Pasche designed it in 1971 for the “Sticky Fingers” album.
1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
This mural in Cleveland is called, “Life is Sharing the Same Park Bench.” The outdoor art was commissioned by the first black mayor in the U.S., Carl Strokes. This symbol of brotherhood was painted by John Francis Morrell. He was a prolific wall mural artist from Rochester, New York. He died in 2010. This image is also the logo for the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, Inc.
1507 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
On the wall of the Civic Theater facing the Lock 3 Park in Akron is this abstract mural called, “Stage Left.” It was created in 2009 by teenagers as part of the Lock 3 Summer Arts Experience. During this program, motivated students are mentored in art while receiving a summer paycheck. Steve Csejtey, an art teacher from Firestone High School, led the project.
192 S Main St Akron, OH 44308
On South Main Street in Akron next to the former Stew Pot Kitchen is a fenced in playground at the base of a parking lot. The backdrop is a mural featuring colorful mythical characters.
23 S Main St #301, Akron, OH 44308
At the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, with a good view of West Virginia, is the town of Marietta, Ohio. The population is about 14,000. On the corners of Third and Putnam Streets once stood the Wakefield Hotel. This former landmark is lovingly recreated in this wall mural by Geoff Scherkel & Pamela Porter.
229 W Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750
Columbus, Ohio, is decorated with many wonderful wall murals, including whimsical ones based on “American Gothic” and “Mona Lisa.” Then you also find uncelebrated ones like this decoration of an alley on North Pearl Street next to the El Arepazo Latin Grill.
44 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
This mural is called, “Neighborhood Scene.” It was painted by Mark Thomas. The sponsor was Lindsay Gallery. They specialize in “Outsider Art” and are a member of the Short North Galleries. Look for it on Vine Street and North High Street.
Vine St & North High St, Columbus, OH 43222
Eric Grohe is a consummate mural artist from Seattle, Washington. His work is vivid, grand and almost three dimensional. He has created over a dozen masterpieces in Ohio, including this one in Columbus called, “Dedication.” It was sponsored by the Mount Carmel Health System. The 50 foot tall and 58 foot wide mural is on the side of the Mount Carmel Nursing School. The inscription on top reads, “Honoring every soul with loving service.”
W Town St. & S Davis Ave, Columbus, OH 43222
Gustav Klimt was a controversial Australian painter whose work focused on the female form. During the turn of the 20th century, his art was considered to be erotic if not pornographic. However, during what’s called his golden phase, he produced masterpieces like this one from 1907-1908 called, “The Kiss.” It is reproduced as a wall mural in Dayton, Ohio. The original is displayed in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna.
601 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402
Near the intersection of Sears Street and East Third in Dayton are a series of wall murals. They pay tribute to classical artists. This one is called, “Hector and Andromache.” The original was painted by Gioegio de Chirico during his metaphysical period from 1909 to 1919. He was a Greek surrealist and cubist painter. The image represents a doomed husband and wife relationship. The masterpiece hangs in the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome.
601 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402
In 1966, Jimi Hendrix was discovered by the girlfriend of Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones. She helped to launch his short yet impactful career as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He was also promoted by Paul McCartney. By the time he played at Woodstock in 1969, he was one the highest paid rock musicians. About a year later, he died at the age of 27 from an overdose of sleeping pills. This wall mural on the side of the Omega Music Store in Dayton, Ohio, is similar to the Stockholm 67 CD album cover.
318 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
“The Singing Mural” consists of 18 faces including Elton John, Johann Sebastian Bach, Grover from Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, plus plenty of Cincinnati’s legends. The sponsors were the Cincinnati Opera and public television channel WCET. The lead artist was Jenny Ustick from ArtWorks. It adorns the Town Center Garage on Central Parkway.
1223 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati had their 80th anniversary in 2012. To celebrate, the museum reproduced 80 works from their collection across the city during their “Art for All” program. One of them is this mural by lead artist Tim Parsley from ArtWorks called, “The Golden Muse.” In my opinion, its artistic quality is far superior to the Picasso painting of the same name. However, that famous piece sold in 2013 for $45 million, so what do I know? This mural is located across from Washington Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
32 W 13th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
This beautiful young girl holding an umbrella is a detail of a 30’ x 100’ mural created by Higher Level Art in Cincinnati, Ohio. They “specialize in murals, signs and exclusive creative illustrations.” This mural was on the side of the Know Theater. It is a non-profit theater company in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Apparently, this wall is a frequent canvas for the joint creativity of both companies.
1120 Jackson St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Jim Tarbell was a Vice-Mayor when he received the title of “Mr. Cincinnati.” The restaurant owner launched his political career in a top hat and tails, as portrayed in this four-story mural on Central Parkway in Cincinnati, Ohio. The project manager was Tim Parsley and the teaching artist was Jarrett Jamison. They are both from ArtWorks.
1109 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The Barlow Motors buildings in Cincinnati, Ohio, were built in 1915-1917. They featured a unique drive-in elevator that lifted cars to the second floor for service. Behind it was a canal house. This mural is from a 1900 photo of the Miami-Erie Canal. The project manager was Michael Blankenship from ArtWorks. ArtWorks’ mission is, “inspires the creative community to transform our everyday environments through employment, apprenticeships, education, community partnerships and civic engagement.”
1100 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnatus was a Roman dictator around 450 BC. The leader’s legacy was being a civil humanitarian. The name of Cincinnati honors him. This downtown mural is called, “Cincinnatus Trompe l’oeil.” The painter was Richard Haas, a master of three-dimensional art. He worked at Evergreen Painting Studios in New York City. What is exciting is this architectural arts firm has restored many of the gorgeous buildings I have photographed including several state capitols, court houses, churches and theaters. I salute their exceptional talent.
2 Elkins Alley, Cincinnati, OH 45202
On the side of the Kroger grocery headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, is this delicious looking mural of vegetables and fruits called, “Fresh Harvest.” Jonathan Queen was the lead artist. It is another inspirational wall mural by ArtWorks. This organization provides apprenticeships to a wide ethnic mix of youth from 67 schools and 75 neighborhoods.
35 W Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Charley Harper was a Cincinnati painter. He specialized in highly stylized, minimalist prints of wildlife. This mural is a tribute to his lithograph called, “Homecoming (Bluebirds).” Jenny Ustick led the 12 person artist team during the ArtWorks Summer Program. This sponsorship hires and mentors aspiring artists 21 and under. It is their largest wall mural to date at 4,700 square feet. Since 1996, ArtWorks has worked with over 2,500 young people and 500 professional artists.
103e E Court St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
John A. Ruthven is an accomplished and acclaimed Cincinnati artist of wildlife. He has been compared to Audubon. This mural is from his 2013 painting called, “Passenger Pigeons.” It commemorates Martha, the last passenger pigeon that died 100 years ago in the local zoo. The mural’s lead artist is Tim Parsley from ArtWorks.
11e E 8th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Above the front door of the Jean-Robert’s Table restaurant is a flying pig. On the side of the building is this mural called, “Cincinnati’s Table.” The artwork is a fluid combination of trees, food, wine, snails and, of course, flying pigs, all on a white tablecloth. Scott Donaldson from ArtWorks was the artist. The ArtWorks motto is, “Our city is a gallery.” After creating over 300 public works, they have definitely made Cincinnati a very beautiful outdoor gallery.
713 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Frank Duveneck was an accomplished realism portrait painter in the late 19th century. Although born in Covington, Kentucky, his talents were unappreciated across the Ohio River in Cincinnati. Then he became heralded in Europe. One of his most famous paintings is, “The Cobbler’s Apprentice.” The art was created in Germany and now hangs in the local Taft Museum of Art. This mural is a playful rendition of the master’s work. The boy is now holding a baseball bat in recognition of the Cincinnati Reds who play nearby. The lead artist for this mural was Tim Parsley from ArtWorks.
100 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202