Community Art Program

The Community Art Program is a mural program that works with communities, artists, youth ages 14 –21 and a wide variety of public and private institutions to create murals that reflect the diverse experiences and aspirations of Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Murals are excellent catalysts for youth development.

They provide a unique opportunity for young people to actively participate in the process that enhances their community. In addition, the impact of healthy relationships with adult role models - both in the arts and in the community – gives young people great pride in their own capabilities as artists and activists. The Community Art Program works in partnership with community development organizations, schools and other grass roots organizations.


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Fairfax Alive

Location: Cleveland Housing Network
Artist: Rickey Lewis

An interior mural project located on the lobby wall of Erie Square Apartments, Cleveland Housing Network's first Section 8 preservation project. The mural depicts historical and future landmarks in the Fairfax neighborhood.

Glenville: Past, Present, & Future

Location: Displayed on the wing wall of the E. 105th Street bridge that borders the City of Cleveland and Bratenahl Township.
Artist: Jerome White

Conceptually, the mural was designed to reflect the past, present, and future of the Glenville community.

Literacy

Location: Park Village Community Center
Artist: Jordan Scott

An exterior community art mural project involving school-aged residents of Park Village Apartments. Youth assisted the local artist in painting a large-scale mural on an exterior wall of the Park Village apartment complex. The theme-based mural depicted the alphabet and color to promote literacy.

Mt. Pleasant Now

Location: Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Family Service Center
Artist: Danny Ratcliff

An interior mural art project commemorating the life of former Councilwoman Odelia V. Robinson. The mural was commissioned by the Mt Pleasant Now Development Corporation and was also reproduced as a limited edition Giclee.

Determined Wings

Location: Cleveland Airport & 105th & Superior Avenue
Artist: Jerome T. White

The Airport Mural Project is a reproduction of the History of Flight Centennial commemorative mural 'Determined Wings'. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of flight and space exploration by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). the photographic reproduction and permanent painting is displayed at the RTA terminal located inside Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The mural is also permanently displayed at the northwest corner of E.105th and Superior Avenue in the Glenville community of Cleveland, Ohio.

Home Away from Home

Location: Collinwood Public Library Teen Center
Artist: Walt “Wali” Neil

Youth assisted local artist in creating an interior community mural located inside the Teen Center of the Collinwood Public Library. The mural depicts the teen participants’ concept of the center as their Home Away from Home.

Karamu Mural

Location: Karamu House
Artist: Neal Hamilton

An exterior 8x 20 foot mural project located on Northeast wall of Karamu House on East 89th Street. The mural depicts the student participants concept of Karamu’s performing arts programs. The mural was funded by JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Other Community/Public Art Projects and Activities includes:

  • Artrain USA’s “The Artistry of Space”: An exhibit consisted of 78 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and sketches from the NASA Art Collection. From the excitement of the initial effort to put a man on the moon to recent endeavors such as the Mars Pathfinder Mission and the Hubble Space Telescope, world-renowned artists have captured the spirit of space exploration. This exhibit traveled onboard Artrain USA from July 1999 through 2002. During the four-year tour, there was only two stops in Ohio - Cleveland was one of them.
  • Artrain USA’s “Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture:” Presented at Cleveland’s Amtrak station in September 2005. Artrain USA is the nation’s only traveling art museum and consists of five railcars. “Native Views” featured 71 original artworks by 54 Native American Indians. The focus of this exhibition was the examination of the impact of popular culture on the work of Native American artists. The exhibit was housed at the Amtrak station in downtown Cleveland.
  • "Collage: A Celebration of Women, Community, and Culture:" Presented at Artefino Art Gallery in partnership with local artist, Hector Vega. This exhibit featured original artwork by 18 women artists of diverse cultures, ages and races. Featured artwork included paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, and dolls.
  • Famicos Mural Project: “Notre Dame - Cleveland’s Castle” a mural project depicting the Notre Dame building and surrounding neighborhoods with the Cleveland skyline in the background.
  • Taylor Academy mural project: Interior mural project commemorating the school’s 15th Anniversary. The mural depicts visual interpretations of the school’s symbol, the lamp of learning, and motto, “ lighting the way back to the future.”
  • Sankofa Village Quilt Project: An intergenerational art education program involving middle-school girls and senior women. Program objectives were to learn the history and technique of African-American quilt making.

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