Experience Canton's Mural Fest

Canton Mural Fest is a celebration of art, culture, and community in Downtown Canton as we transform blank walls into vibrant works of art that will captivate and inspire. We envision a collection of murals that together make an outdoor mural gallery designed to connect, reflect and celebrate our diverse communities through public art.

Saturday, September 28th, 2024
from noon -6pm

Participating Artists

Kwesi Agyare

Cleveland, Oh

Ian Burleson

AKRON, Oh

tracy dawn brewer

canton, oh

Ron Copeland

NEWTON FALLS, OH

Libby Doss

CANTON, OH

DERIN FLETCHER

AKRON, Oh

KAT FRANCIS

Canton, Oh

ARLIN GRAFF

CLEVELAND, Oh

ASHLEY LIPTAK

AKRON, Oh

bethannie newsome steelman

Hot Springs, Ar

ashley palmer &
heidi clifford

CANTON & COLUMBUS, OH

Lisa Quine

CLEVELAND, Oh

Dirk Rozich

NORTH CANTON, OH

timothy smith

CLAREMONT, CA

Rafeael Valdivieso

CLEVELAND, OH

Dirk Rozich (North Canton, Ohio) and Tracy Dawn Brewer (Canton, Ohio)
Rafael Valdivieso (Cleveland, Ohio)
Ian Burleson (Akron, Ohio)
Derin Fletcher (Akron, Ohio)
Bethannie Steelman (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
Arlin Graff (Cleveland, Ohio)
Ron Copeland (Newton Falls, Ohio)
Ashley Liptak (Akron, Ohio)
Libby Doss with Canton Country Day students (Canton, Ohio)
Kwesi Agyare (Cleveland, Ohio)
Heidi Clifford (Columbus, Ohio) and Ashley Palmer (Canton, Ohio)
Timothy Smith (Claremont, California)
Kat Francis (Canton, Ohio)
Lisa Quine (Cleveland, Ohio)

Frequently
Asked Questions

Interested artists submit a Call for Artists application. The Mural Fest Selection Committee reviews the applications. Thirteen artists (or teams of artists) will be chosen based on several factors, including artistic excellence, mural experience, diversity of styles, professionalism and cultural merit.

Absolutely! We award a stipend to each mural artist selected. Compensation is based on the size of the wall they are painting.

We match artists with building owners based on several factors, including how much input the owner would like to contribute to the design process, the style and artistic goals of the business and the size of the wall. We strive to place artists at locations where their style meshes well with the business and building.

No, but we do ask artists to work with the building or business owner to come up with a design that blends well with the personality and artistic goals of the business. Every building owner is different. Some owners give the artist total artistic freedom to design the mural (within Mural Fest guidelines). Others prefer some input on what the mural will look like. We highly encourage building owners to respect the artistic freedom and diversity of the artist throughout the design process. Owners do have to give final approval on the design.

We do not have a theme that artists need to consider in their design. However, we do have certain guidelines that must be followed. We ask that artwork reflect the diversity and character of Canton and Stark County and add vibrancy and a sense of place to the neighborhood. Additionally, mural designs must not be deemed an advertisement for a business or product and cannot contain any themes of violence, hate or racism or be vulgar or obscene.

Our goal is to create permanent works of art. We require all building owners to keep the mural intact for three years. We have plenty of walls to paint and do not intend to paint over any of the murals. However, Canton is experiencing a great deal of growth, which means properties will change hands and buildings may come down. We make every effort to commission walls that will live for at least three years. Unfortunately, sometimes unforeseen circumstances, such as weather, vandalism, accidents and other factors, cause an early demise of a mural.

KWESI AGYARE

Instagram handle: kwesiagyareart

Facebook handle: herodeiv

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I wanted to share my God-given talent with everyone.  You don’t have to pay to experience art.  Everyone can benefit from seeing art and I wanted to build beautiful places and revive neighborhoods.  Art is a universal language that speaks to everyone that enjoys it. 

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

My art is a practice of a technique that I call “Womanism” (Woman and cubism combined).  I have always been inspired by women.  My mother was a very important figure in my life, and I always want to celebrate women and the hard work they do to make our community thrive. My mural will be painted on the building for the Stark Fresh Food Justice; therefore, I wanted to tie together my womanism style with a bit of fun Salvatore Dali inspired food in the background. 

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider? 

I always consider the neighborhood, the culture of the people, the way the people live over there and the activities that go on in the neighborhood. I also consider the demographics of the people in the neighborhood. I want to make sure that the art is relatable to the community. 

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

To give the community a sense of life and to put a smile on their face.  Color always makes people happy!  My work must enhance, educate, and to communicate and bring awareness to the viewers about the great work of the Stark Food Justice. I also want to celebrate the women the community.  Women are the glue that holds all communities together.  

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

Joy and happiness

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

When I divorced, I needed to turn all my energy into doing something beautiful to give any person that may be hurting to feel a bit of joy.  When my father disowned me because he wanted me to be a medical doctor; my first goal was to prove him wrong and change the narrative that art is also a viable profession.

Ian Burleson

Instagram: evade.art

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

The impact and transformation of a space through creativity sparked my passion for murals.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

The title of my piece is “let it free” which the piece derives from spreading your wings and letting go through creativity.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

Each location is different so i try and get a true aspect of the community and the overall aesthetic of the area.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I hope that my mural will inspire others to push past limitations and create motivation to explore their creative side.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

I am going for a shock value with powerful positioning of a vivid color. Hopefully to create an energetic feel within people.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

Covid was actually an unexpected change that created a higher level of creativity within me.

Tracy Dawn Brewer

Website:  brewtifully.com

Instagram handle:  @brewtifully

Facebook: Brewtifully

TikTok: gettingsmallwgrandma

 

How did your journey in public art begin?

I grew up in Hocking Hills and my first public mural was a Christmas Scene when I was 7 years old and I was assigned Santa and his reindeer and I was hooked! All through high school, I would create chalk art murals and painted scenes windows for various storefronts. I’ve been in Stark County for 24 years and have loved the art scene and all of the amazing diversity and styles everyone creates.

You are bringing some augmented reality to one of the murals for Mural Fest. Can you explain your work on this project?

The (design) concept for the mural I’m working with was all Dirk (Rozchick). Once complete, I get to create my magic and will bring it to life using Augmented Reality.

How do you hope your work will impact the community?

I hope it makes people engage with the piece, inspire the youth to expand their minds to explore technology and art together.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

I hope they experience joy and awe; it makes them smile and want to capture a memory.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

I was inspired by cemetery relief art on tombstones for a Canton Repository call for art, Above the Fold in 2015, it still hangs in my garage.

Ron Copeland

Website: RonCopelandArt.com

Instagram handle: Norpoc

Facebook handle: Ron Copeland

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I am a mixed-media artist working in installation art, photography, and sign painting, all with a focus on historical themes. I have incorporated all of these media into my larger scale exhibition installations and mural work. I found my way into public art through being hired by clients to create works that reflect the individual values, histories of a community, place, culture, and/or a company.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

I knew I wanted to feature an aspect of local history and signage in my mural. As a kid, I recall staring out the car window at the larger-than-life neon signs that scattered the roadside along Lincoln Way in Canton, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to pay homage to an aspect of our shared history through the creation of a mid-century Lincoln Highway-themed “Greetings From” sign.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

When working on a project like this, I really want to take in the themes of a given place. I often research local history, architecture, foods, restaurants, signage, and any other aspects of local or regional pride. In previous projects, I have gone as far as crowdsourcing keywords and themes from locals, then researched online archives or local libraries to gather as much knowledge and content inspiration as possible. For the Canton Mural Fest, it was a little easier since I grew up here, and I’ve been photographing the Lincoln Highway locally and across the country for the past 20 years. I love the concept of creating a work that I can be proud of, but the community can also relate and find pride in, too.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I would like to evoke a sense of local pride in Canton’s connection to the nation’s first intercontinental highway, while also celebrating an aspect of local signage I personally love, the Towne Manor sign.

Libby Doss

Website: libbybracydoss.com

Instagram handle: libbybracydossart

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

Mural making has not been my primary art form, but I love it as an opportunity to engage with our community. Regardless of what media I am working with, I hope that my work connects and engages people with art. As a longtime painter, I’m excited about working in a larger scale – and think back to undergrad days studying painting with Barb Drennan, who encouraged me to push my boundaries and work on a larger canvas. I think she would laugh to think of my timidity then and the much larger scale I’m working in now through projects like this one!

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

I am working on this mural as both an artist and art educator, having recently joined Canton Country Day School as the Prek-8 Art teacher. The whole school has been so excited to kick off the school year with such an exciting project; Head of School Patrick Ater expresses it best, saying “This is the kind of project we love to have students involved in because it provides a real-world engagement with the community. The kids can express themselves and be proud of a contribution to the arts of Canton.”

For me personally as an artist, I wanted to create a mural that emphasizes art and education, sharing the joy of artmaking with/by children. The mural depicts children painting a mural. I hope that this can be an inspiration for both the students I work with and with children throughout Canton and Stark County.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I hope that this brings attention to children and art education in our community. I know that Canton has a very high rate of child poverty, and not all children have equal access to resources including art education. I hope that this mural can inspire all children in our community. I also hope that this can inspire those with means to support our local nonprofits who help to provide important services to our local children, from food and shelter to access to art and art education.

Derin Fletcher

Website: Derinfletcher.com

Instagram handle: @baldartist_

Facebook handle: Derin Fletcher

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I fell in love with painting murals just off the simple fact that I could create something at such a large scale that could possibly inspire people who are just passing by, going on with everyday life. I actually got started in Cleveland when I was commissioned to create artwork for the outside of one of their city buildings. It was then that I understood the impact that good public artwork could have on the community.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

Because I specialize in portraits, I was asked during my interview if I would consider doing a mural paying homage to the OJays who are from Canton. Once I realized there weren’t any murals currently in canton highlighting them, I knew I had to come up with a great design to honor them. 

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

I start by doing research. Researching the community and the people within it. I try to highlight what’s most significant about the area and its residents and I almost always include the youth in some way because they are the ones that will keep things going. 

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I hope that my mural will not only encourage aspiring artists, but musician’s as well. I hope they see how limitless they can be. 

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

To not give up on their dreams. No matter how big. 

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

Music! It inspires me so much. Which is also why this mural means so much to me. I’m creating a mural of artists who are currently on my playlist as paint.  That’s so awesome to me!

Kat Francis

Website: www.KatFrancis.com

Instagram handle: KatFrancisArt

Facebook: Kat Francis

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I love to make art about the community and it is often the topic of my art on the easel.  When I lived in (Columbus)  Franklinton, OH  I was on the board for Second Sight Artist Residency and we would often talk about ways to engage the community in arts, naturally, murals came to mind. I began painting at events like Urban Scrawl which challenged you to paint huge panels in one weekend. It was an exciting and fun challenge, and as I painted large, it felt like a dance. I love the physical aspect of painting murals, you have to use your whole body. And I love that I get to interact so much with the community and learn more about the history of a place.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

I always enjoy painting botanical art and flowers, because living in Ohio we are limited on when there are blooms, I want to bring the community beautiful flowers all year round. Nature is a gift of calmness and beauty. I was also inspired by the owner of Deli Ohio, Ryan Miller’s daughter’s generous and thoughtful group, ” The Litter Critters.” These kids clean up areas of Canton and I think it’s the sweetest. I wanted to show a raccoon, the late-night dweller of the city, a true resident hustling to survive, but in a stoic way that had a nod to the Litter Critters crew. That kids who grow up in Canton are inspired and how they take care of where they live and want to make the future brighter. Since my mural will also be on the side of a pizza place and beer garden, I added plants that make sense for that business, Hopps, Barley, Mushrooms, etc. I hope it is something beautiful and fun for Canton to enjoy.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

I consider the space aesthetically, the history, and the community. Does the wall need to be filled? Does it make sense to let some of the structure shine through? What makes the owners feel seen and appreciated? For art to thrive, we need to let outsiders feel like they have a part in it as well. It cannot just be about the artist and for the artist. It’s a collaboration in a way, and a celebration of the community. I like to tell stories about the place the mural exists in. I want it to take life and be a fun new friend for the people who see it and make their eyeballs happy- that’s what I hope for. After a list of ideas, I sketch on my iPad and collage concepts and images together to make a rough sketch, but I leave a lot of the fun for on the wall. It is exciting and super fun to figure out colors and draw things out in the actual space.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I hope it brings them joy. I hope they have fun playing eye spy with what plants I tie in. I hope young girls see a female artist painting such a large piece and feel confident in themselves that they can do it one day as well.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

I hope it feels playful and fun.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

Food. The other day I was making avocado toast with strawberries on top, and the colors excited me. I was like, “what a juicy color combo- I have to use this in a painting.”

Arlin Graff

Website: www.arlingraff.com

Instagram handle: arlin_graff

Facebook handle: Arlin Graff

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

It all began in 1999 in Brazil. My passion for painting graffiti and engaging with people started during my teenage years. I was deeply into graffiti, skateboarding, and discovering new places. I would hit the streets with a backpack full of paint and return with it brimming with stories and inspiration from the people I encountered. This dynamic exchange of creativity and connection fueled my commitment to public art and the vibrant community around it.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

My work is known for focusing on wildlife. I’m really fascinated by how nature adapts as cities grow—how some species are so resilient that they find ways to thrive in urban environments. I heard there’s a peregrine falcon nesting near where I’ll be painting, and I have to admit, I had another idea in mind that also related to wildlife adapting to the city. But the story of the falcon really stuck with me, especially since I have a special connection with birds. It became hard to think of another animal besides the peregrine falcon, which is such a real example of wildlife adapting to human spaces, just like street art adapts and survives in the city.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

Each mural is unique, each with its own story. In most of them, nature is a prominent theme, often represented by an animal as the focal point. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the local community or through my own research. Other times, the location or the shape of the wall influences my ideas.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I hope this mural makes people reflect on how privileged they are to live surrounded by so much nature and how important that is for the balance of the planet. At the same time, by standing in front of such a large mural where the animal is depicted larger than the viewer, I hope it makes us reflect on the grandeur and power of nature.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

As an artist who paints in the streets, I like to think that by bringing color, I also bring a bit of joy to passersby. Just as art and colors make me happy, I hope my work brings some joy to people’s day. Through colors, I aim to impact people by highlighting the importance of nature in our lives.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

When I’m certain that I’m not inspired to create anything, I still start sketching without any specific goal. I do this for hours with 0.1% inspiration and 99.9% perspiration, and I begin to see every mistake as a new creative opportunity. The works that come from this method are my favorites.

Ashley Liptak

Website: ashliptak.squarespace.com

Instagram: ashliptak

Facebook: Ashley Liptak Facebook

TikTok: ash.png (ash36492)

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I have always admired large artwork for the inherent impact such a space can have. I’ve always loved creating and my degree in graphic design allowed me to hone my artistic skills and work ethic. After college, I worked for several years as a signage artist at the Giant Eagle Market District drawing and painting signs by hand for sale items and store displays. This made me very comfortable with working on large scale pieces and when my first mural opportunity came along, I felt confident in my abilities to paint it. I also love finding new spaces for my artwork to live in, so I often say “yes” to new opportunities any chance I get and use that as a way to discover new things that I enjoy, like painting murals! My first mural was a logo install for the main gym at Walsh University and from there, I’ve gained a lot of my clients through word of mouth.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

I wanted to create something bright and friendly that reflects all the Canton has to offer! The outdoor spaces, local foods, events, history, and sporting events all play a part in the graphics. My goal was to encapsulate all of this while showing off the incredible community that lives here.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider? 

My first step in creating a mural is to assess the location and explore the space. I look at the wall texture, what the surrounding area is like (city, neighborhood, park, etc.), and what overall feeling I get from the site in order to create something that suits that specific area. I also enjoy hearing input from the client as to their ideas for the mural, because even just a few parameters and guidelines will help to push the creative theme further and allow me to really think outside the box.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

My hope for this mural is that it will not only welcome and inform newcomers, but that it will also spark pride and excitement for the people that see it in their daily lives. Another hope I have for each piece of public art I get to create is for it to demonstrate to kids that art and design are valuable fields of work to pursue.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

A lot of my art focuses on the emotions of joy, playfulness, and the feeling of being welcomed. I hope that this mural will brighten someone’s day and make them feel at home.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

Unusual or funny shapes of things that I encounter in my daily life. An oddly shaped apple or a unique car design will shift my view of shapes and give me a new perspective on how to visually convey an idea.

Bethannie Newsom Steelman

Instagram: @beansart

Facebook: Bethannie Newsom Steelman

Redbubble: Paint Shaman

TikTok: Bethsteelman4

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I’m the muralist Bethannie Newsom Steelman. As a multidisciplinary artist, the intent of my work is to interact with the viewer, transporting onlookers into the realm of dreams with immersive installations, imaginative puppet shows, and color saturated mural paintings. I’ve been painting murals for thirteen years, and in 2023 alone, I’ve had the privilege of painting 15 murals in a diverse array of communities. Mural painting is the ultimate collaboration between artist and community. 

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

The mural I’m creating for Mural Fest will span two whole walls at 335 2nd St. NE in downtown Canton. Canton has such interesting architecture I can’t help but incorporate some of the gorgeous design features from your local institutions. If you look closely, you’ll notice some exciting details of Canton’s civic institutions such as the angel wings from the Stark County Courthouse, the Centennial Plaza Sculpture, the griffins from the Federal Building, and some ornamental elements from The Palace Theatre and some of the most beautiful churches in America. 

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider? 

When I design a mural for a specific community, it’s important to collaborate with locals to express their ideas. This visionary process can become a sort of collective consciousness. Because of this, my murals are designed to underscore place identity, sparking conversations and connections that go beyond what traditional art forms can achieve.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

The impact of Canton Mural Fest is the mission to improve the safe beautification of the neighborhood through responsible and thoughtful community development. Canton is unique in their choice to preserve and restore the city’s historic architecture rather than demolish it to make way for new construction. I aim to help beautify Downtown Canton, while helping your community stay true to its roots. 

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

The emotion that I am evoking with this new mural will be one of protection. Protection of Canton’s historic architectural heritage by incorporating familiar imagery reminiscent of modern day gargoyles into the colorful design. 

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

I draw inspiration by using my imagination to create intentional visions that come forth from the realm of dreams. I record these visions in my art to complete a mind-body connection that soothes my soul. The result is a work of art that is both figurative embodiment of these beings, and abstract in the sort of orderly distortion of the flow of rainbow colors they are made of. 

Ashley Palmer & Heidi Clifford

Heidi’s Social Media Handle: @primarychild_Studio
Ashley’s Biz Social Media Handle: @palmystree 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

Heidi: Going through high school, I loved painting and drawing and the fine arts. I couldn’t envision how I might get paid to paint full time one day, but through attending college for graphic design, and following more muralists as I graduated, I realized this was exactly the work I wanted to do in my life. Six years ago, I had the opportunity to paint my first mural for a retail client just after I graduated college. In 2020 I began working for myself full time, and for nearly 4 years I have had a studio in Franklinton, (Columbus) Ohio. I have heavily involved myself in the local arts communities and have grown my career through all of this. Currently, in addition to being a muralist, I am an installation artist, and designer, working on various projects in each area.

Ashley: I’m someone who loves to be creative in any way I can, whether it’s painting, sculpting, drawing, building, or anything else. I hadn’t considered creating murals until college, when I saw the professional work of various professors. One professor, in particular, was an incredible muralist and public artist who created many artworks for cities across the U.S. I always knew I would love to work on public projects, but my business (Palmystree) focus was on smaller works and projects that people could purchase and collect. It wasn’t until a few years ago that a friend of mine, Errick Freeman, began encouraging me to think bigger. That’s when I realized creating murals or public works wasn’t as out of reach as I had thought. Fast forward a few years, and a serendipitous event led Heidi and me to join forces in 2023, making my public art dreams a reality. Now we’re living it, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to work alongside one of my closest friends.

How did your joint work begin?

Following an opportunity to paint a mural together in Canton (our hometown) in June 2023, there was a golden moment of opportunity for both of us to connect further as friends and become business partners. We have been friends for close to 15 years, and have always bounced ideas off of each other and have settled into working for ourselves independently. For where our workloads were, it was a good moment of growth with more of a presence in two cities now.

What inspired the concept for your Mural Fest mural, and how does it connect to the community or culture of Canton?

For our mural concept, we looked towards imagery and ideas that we personally want to explore that will develop our skill set further. In moving towards a more narrative and illustrative painting style, we have designed a mural that represents the vision for your life coming to fruition, through a mix of portraiture, other anatomy, astrological references, and more. As artists that grew up in Canton, the foundation of who we are comes from the arts here and around northeast Ohio. Here we’re using imagery that is representative of our interests and talents, and we’re giving back to Canton with what we’ve gained over the years.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

We have a pretty solid procedure of researching the business/company the mural is for, as well as the area it is going to live in. It is highly important to be as aware as you can be of cultural, religious, racial, and controversial stances and issues when designing. At times when we do have more creative freedom, it’s pretty easy to steer clear of controversial topics, and similarly when a client is more heavily involved in deciding the design directions.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

Heidi: That you really can do what you want in this life – I didn’t know I wanted to paint murals as a kid, but when I was little my room was covered in colorful drawings, and then many paint colors. My intent to cover the world in color has never wavered, even before it was realized. It is the greatest privilege that I work incredibly hard for and I am blessed to work for myself, and to be able to love my work and myself even more through that – and I hope that everyone has the opportunity to experience that in life. 

Ashley: Echoing Heidi’s sentiment that “you can really do what you want in this life,” I hope this mural has a similar impact on the community. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a professional artist. I was fortunate to have a supportive family who encouraged me to pursue my art. My grandmother, in particular, enrolled me in private art classes with Gerri Pierce, a professional artist who mentored me from 5th grade through 12th grade. Gerri, along with my family and later college professors, played a crucial role in helping me make my dream a reality by providing invaluable advice, skills, and knowledge in art, business, and brand-building. My hope is that this mural inspires young artists, especially those in underserved communities, to embrace their creative interests and turn their dreams into reality.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

We hope people feel awe and wonder, and keep finding new details to enjoy in the design. We both love experiencing public art, getting up close to it and really taking it all in. For its location, we think people will be able to easily access it and interact with it. 

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

Heidi: Once I was prompted to create a 3D installation art piece all about climate change – as an installation artist I create a lot of 3D tissue paper flowers from 5in to 5ft in diameter. I didn’t know how I would connect flowers to climate change, but learned through researching that flowers have reacted to climate change in different ways (you’ll have to look that up!) and I created an installation that visually described how the flowers have reacted. A great challenge that pushed my 3D work to a new level.

Ashley: As an art teacher and, at one time, an art director in various capacities, I draw a lot of inspiration from my students. I’ve taught elementary, middle, and high school students, but I find the most inspiration from the elementary school kids. They are creative and imaginative. Just hearing their creative ideas sparks a lot of my own! Younger students show us how to be less literal, teaching us to use tools in ways other than their intended use and helping us see faces and animals in shapes and images that portray something completely different. Their imagination greatly motivates me as someone who creates a lot of surrealistic artwork.

How do you collaborate on a piece like this? Do you divide the work based on your strengths, or do you merge your styles throughout the mural?

We work together in many ways – we are in two cities but we have intentional weekly business calls and are constantly communicating about what we both have going on. We do have different strengths and styles, but we usually figure out a style or direction(s) that we’re both comfortable in. With current software, it’s very easy to pass designs off to each other too, so one of us can design one part, and hand it off. It’s a much better process working with a fellow artist on everything!

Lisa Quine

Websitehttps://www.lisaquine.com/

Instagram handle: lisa_quine

Facebook handle: Lisa (Lorek) Quine

Other social media: Lisa (Lorek) Quine

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I had a really niche passion for vintage-inspired hand-lettering. Very gradually, the commissions and project sizes got bigger and bigger. My first mural led to another one and so on, eventually getting the attention of LAND Studio in Cleveland. In 2018, I painted my first public mural in the Gordon Square Arts District in Cleveland with LAND Studio. It says “Dream Big” capturing the energy I had launching my full-time creative business and showing support for the small businesses in the area trying to chase their own dreams.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

I’m currently trying to focus on both the spirit of Canton, Ohio and the grassroots feel of Deli Ohio. There’s already a giant and beautiful mural next to the patio so I’m trying to let that one still shine while painting something complementary next to it.

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

I try to focus on what might bring joy to current locals and new visitors. The space is going to be a patio, so something celebratory but also a fun design for both foot and car traffic. I also keep a list of ideas in my back pocket for themes I’d like to try in a future mural :)

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

The responsibility of a public-facing wall is something I take seriously. I want this to bring joy to folks when they see it. I want them to feel a sense of pride for their community.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

I try to think of my kids when designing murals too. What do they think is cool and fun, and what would they enjoy in a mural? I try to channel my own inner child because as the saying goes “a creative person is the child who survived”.

DIRK ROZICH

Website: dirkrozich.com

Instagram handles:
@dirkrozichillustration
@dsignelixir

Facebook handle : Dirk Rozich Illustration 

Timothy Robert Smith

Website  www.timothyrobertsmith.com

Instagram handle @timothyrobertsmith

Facebook handle : Timothy Robert Smith

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I’ve always loved making large paintings on canvas, and they just got bigger and bigger until I needed a better surface, like a wall. Painting in public is so much more exciting than just sitting in the studio. You have weather to deal with, and you never know what people you’ll meet. It’s a lot more physical too, having to move around constantly for hours. I think the thing I like the most is the immediacy of it. Everything you do is there on display in real time, and that’s super cool. It’s more like a conversation and less like a monologue. 

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

With this piece, I’m trying to really push the boundaries of what’s possible with depth and perspective. There’s a floating city with several layers above and below the horizon. The point-of-view is everywhere, surrounding the scene from all angles simultaneously. We are seeing from beneath a ground that is transparent. It’s almost as if the viewer has surpassed the limitations of physical existence to become a part of everything-ness (or nothingness). 

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

I start by talking to locals and figuring out all of the most common things that people are interested in. I take lots of notes, do research, and find a way to plug everything into a unique perspective grid that fits the building. 

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

I always aspire to create something that makes people stop and think. 

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

I’m hoping that my extreme perspectives and larger-than-life characters will remind viewers of how the world looked when they were a child- enormous, magical and full of possibilities. 

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

I get a lot of inspiration from traveling somewhere new and walking around big cities at night.

Rafael Valdivieso Troya

Website:  raffostudio.com

Instagram handle:  Rafael A Valdivieso Troya

 

What inspired you to become a mural artist, and how did your journey in public art begin?

I was inspired by Mexican muralists – especially Siqueiros. At university my thesis was to create a mural. It was exciting to see what I painted on canvas in small sizes, now in large format in public spaces.

Can you share the story or message behind the mural you’re creating for Mural Fest?

To form a poem of movement and color among creatures and symbols that mirror the magic around us. To open windows that connect me with the viewer, with my imagination and the viewer’s imagination.

To inspire! There is no limit to creation!

How do you approach designing a mural for a specific community or location? What factors do you consider?

The challenge is to make the mural work with the space. I consider the environment, the light and shadow, the atmosphere. I try to create art that celebrates the diversity and character of each place.

How do you hope your mural will impact the community?

My goal is to inspire creativity and wonder and bring vibrancy to the district.

I hope it will generate positive dialogues and will attract visitors and new businesses.

What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in those who see this piece?

Feelings of joy, harmony, and peace.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for your art?

The coronavirus. I never thought I would find inspiration in uncertainty, fear, and chaos.