The Elyria Community Partnership has announced a call for artists to design a large-scale mural on Elyria City Hall, aimed at celebrating the city’s history and future vision. This initiative, in collaboration with the City of Elyria and local stakeholders, will position the mural prominently on a wall facing Ely Square and the nearby Huntington building.
The project is designed to reflect the community’s rich heritage while also looking forward. As Monet Roberts-Walton, executive director of Elyria Community Partnership, explained, “We’re really looking for an artist who can respect Elyria’s past while also helping us tell a story about where we’re headed.” The mural aims to capture the dynamism of Elyria, depicting its ongoing evolution through public art.
Selected artists will collaborate closely with the Elyria Community Partnership, city administration, and a stakeholder focus group inclusive of youth voices. Following a vetting process, the chosen artist will engage in a workshop with stakeholders to gather feedback and refine their concepts. “This is a highly collaborative process,” Roberts-Walton noted. “We want the artist to engage with our community members, hear their perspectives, and bring those ideas together in a way that feels authentic to Elyria.”
Artists at local, regional, and national levels are encouraged to apply, provided they have experience with murals of similar scale. While specific themes are not mandated, stakeholders have suggested inspirations such as cultural heritage, nature, realism, mixed media collage, and bold abstract styles. “We’re fortunate to have so many standout features in Elyria, from our waterfalls to our history as the county seat,” Roberts-Walton added. “When people come downtown and see this mural, we want their first impression to reflect how beautiful and meaningful this community is.”
This mural project aligns with the broader mission of the Elyria Community Partnership to enhance quality of life and bolster downtown vibrancy. Public art was identified as a priority in the organization’s 2023 vibrancy action plan, which was shaped by extensive community input. “Art creates a sense of value and pride,” Roberts-Walton stated. “It shows residents and investors that this is a place that cares about itself and is worth investing in.”
The goal is to complete the mural by later this year, ideally coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and Elyria’s summer programming, subject to the necessary approvals through the city’s review process.
Artists interested in participating must submit their applications by noon on February 10, 2024. All materials should be compiled into a single PDF file not exceeding 15MB and emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Elyria City Hall Mural.” For further details, prospective artists can visit the Elyria Community Partnership’s website.
