If you’re not from Cincinnati, you may not be familiar with Artworks, but if you live here, you won’t have missed seeing the lasting impact Artworks is having on the city.
Artworks, partnering with local non-profits, hires teens in the summer to work with professional artists to create works of art on outside city walls, and inside environments that have included the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Medical Center.
Our youngest son’s continued involvement with Artworks since he first worked for them in the summer following his sophomore year in high school, has been a positive, creative and growth experience for him. He has made connections within the art community here in Cincinnati that will likely be lifelong associations. Yesterday he was excited to show us one of the new murals Artworks is creating this year.
This mural is located on the side of the WCPO building on Central Parkway in downtown Cincinnati. It is entitled “Sing” and was designed by renowned American caricaturist and illustrator, C.F. Payne.
As you can see, three levels of scaffolding are required for the completion of this mural. Students and artists work in the heat of the day, painting by hand.
If you look closely, you will see that among the famous composers and singers depicted are Mr. Red, the Nutcracker, Elton John and Grover.
This summer, 150 students are working with 36 artists to complete 15 projects in the area. (Local students selected by ArtWorks Cincinnati to work on seven downtown murals this summer. Cincinnati.com)
Christine M. Grote 
That is so cool! What a wonderful community organization and a beautiful legacy! You must be so proud of your son’s involvement.
More cities should emulate what you’ve got going in Cincinnatti. Especially as concerns the involvement of local artists. I think Artworks is a legacy to the American spirit, and its homegrown talent. Not to mention the experience gained and the potential for jobs.
taking my gardening hat off…to cincinnatti…with hugs. 🙂
This is great, Christine, the program and the work. Thanks for sharing.
Inspiring post. I’d love to feature the first paragraph of this on my creativity site and link back to your site. I’m always looking for interesting posts like this. Let me know if it’s ok with you.
That’s fine. Thanks JoDee. cm
This sounds a really Great Project thar your Son is involved with, Adding murals is a great way to add a bit of Life and Sparkle to a drab old building/City.. They did something similar here in our town, as many shops now closing down and empty due to the cut-backs etc the local Council boarded the shop fronts then put bill board posts on them covering the whole of the window spaces with what the viewer sees as different goods inside the shop, so as to try and make these empty shops appear in use.. Better than people coming along and breaking glass etc and seeing the mail build up inside empty shop doorways..
As a bit of an artist myself it always amazes me how they get to paint so Big and each know how and what fits where lol. Rather them than me climbing scaffold! 🙂
Enjoy your Day 🙂
Cool project . . . except for the artists painting in the heat of the day. 😉
Hello there, Grover!