Artworks Murals in Cincinnati

I just love that our city is getting so artsy! This past weekend I took a friend on an urban hike through downtown Cincinnati, focusing on the murals painted by Artworks, a local non-profit organization founded in 1996. Their mission statement is to empower and inspire the creative community to transform everyday environments through employment, apprenticeships, education, community partnerships, and civic engagement. One of the ways they are accomplishing their mission is through what they call "public art"... building murals, free standing sculptures, unique bike racks, and they have even started turning the Metro bus shelters into artwork canvases.

The history of the mural program started in 2007 when former Mayor Mark Mallory visited Philadelphia and was introduced to their mural program, which in 30 years completed over 3,000 murals. He was so impressed that he challenged Artworks to create a mural in each of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods. The Artworks' website now boosts that 36 neighborhoods have at least one mural, some have many, and they are still working to get the remaining 16 their own masterpiece. To date, 90 murals have been completed. Here are my top six favorites from the downtown area (the write-ups are copied from the Artwork's website):

Number 6: Cincinnati's Table. Bit crazy, if you ask me. I love the snail along the bottom.

This mural boasts a surreal composition, made up of delicacies, food, and fantastical imagery. Inspired by Dutch still life’s, the mural is full of over-the-top detail and pays tribute to the culinary arts! Flying pigs complete the scene, bringing Cincinnati’s Table to life.
In partnership with Jean-Robert’s Table and Budig Realty, LLC

Project Manager: Scott DonaldsonLocation: 713 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Number 5: The Golden Muse. I thought this was beautifully done, very graceful.

This mural features a figurine from an 18th century mantle clock in the Taft Museum of Art’s collection.  Encompassing the entire wall, the figure becomes a mythological music muse as the notes to Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man (written for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and originally performed at Music Hall in 1942) fly off the page and into the sky. This mural was created as a part of the Taft’s 80^th Anniversary Celebration, “Art for All.”

Project Manager: Tim Parsley
Location: 28 West 13th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

Number 4: Homecoming (Bluebirds). I love all of Charley Harper's works! This picture looks crooked to me but the building actually sits on a hill so I was having a hard time lining this up... I think the birds are straight, bit of an optical illusion the way they split the picture to allow the center of the building to show through.

Charley Harper, one of Cincinnati’s most accomplished and celebrated artists, studied and taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. It was there he met his wife Edie and they continued to make Cincinnati their home, starting a family and sharing an art studio. Charley’s favorite subject was the natural world and he worked in a style he called ‘minimal realism’. This particular work is based on Homecoming (Bluebirds), a painting done in his minimal,geometric style and is symbolic, depicting two bluebirds – male and female – returning home.
 In partnership with Charley Harper Art Studios and Court St Executive Suites.

Designer: Charley Harper
Project Manager: Jenny Ustick
Location: 119 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Number 3: Ice Cream Daydream. That is my friend Chrisula in the picture, She said this one was a favorite for her too. Love the crazy colors.. mighty bright!!!

This fantastical mural brings youthful energy and vibrancy to the district of Over-the-Rhine. A love for color and candy awaken the imagination where a diamond sun rains strawberries on a dessert-filled garden. Thanks to Eden Floral Boutique.

Project Manager: Amanda Checco
Location: 33 East 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Number 2: Energy and Grace. This mural just stood out from blocks away. It is huge and very, very blue. It just made me feel happy... like dancing and swirling :)

In Partnership with Art Academy of Cincinnati. Since moving to Over-the-Rhine in 2005, the Art Academy of Cincinnati has been essential to the neighborhood’s transformation. To celebrate the school’s commitment to reviving this historic community, ArtWorks turned a painting by one of its professors, native Cincinnatian and internationally acclaimed abstract artist Kim Krause, into a mural. This is ArtWorks first abstract mural, and its vibrant colors and whimsical movement capture the energy and momentum in Over-the-Rhine.

Designer: Kim Krause
Project Manager: Nathan Weikert
Location: 16 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Number 1: Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon. This is my favorite of them all. The image invokes movement to me, and I love the artistic workmanship, very realistic. I believe they truly captured the beauty of these birds.

In Partnership with Cincinnati Nature Center. Martha, the last passenger pigeon, lived out her last days at the Cincinnati Zoo. Despite efforts to save what was once the most numerous bird species in America, Martha died in 1914. Almost one hundred years later, Cincinnati remains committed to wildlife preservation thanks to local organizations like the zoo and Cincinnati Nature Center, and wildlife artist and conservationist John A. Ruthven, dubbed the 20th Century Audubon. This mural reproduces an original masterpiece by Mr. Ruthven that shows Martha and her flock soaring over the historic Bird Run at the Cincinnati Zoo, and serves as a daily reminder to downtown residents, workers and visitors of the importance of wildlife conservation and the reality of extinction.
Designer: John A. Ruthven
Project Manager: Tim Parsley
Location: 15 E. Eighth St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
To see a time lapse video of the making of this mural, click: Creation of the Martha mural