Developing the Downtown Experience through Public Art

Together with the City of Cleveland and Mayor Justin Bibb, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and Cuyahoga County, we are proud to support Mayor Bibb's plan to reimagine Downtown Cleveland into an 18-hour, 15-minute neighborhood that weaves districts and surrounding neighborhoods into a seamless urban fabric. The goal is to attract modern economic activity and provide a world-class experience for all who work, live, and play Downtown. In the Reimagining Downtown blog series, we will provide regular updates on our progress in implementing the plan and dive deeper into specific projects that move us toward our goals.  

Goal: Increase Murals and Public Art  

French artist Yosh working on his mural

One of the tactics we committed to in Reimagining Downtown is:  

Use public art to enhance and brighten the Downtown experience for all. Develop and implement a program to connect artists with opportunities and funding to create murals. Enhance Downtown’s alleys with lighting, public art, and wayfinding signage that encourages users to safely share the road. 

Status: In Progress  

Yosh’s two mural’s side by side

Four new murals have been added to Downtown Cleveland this summer. Downtown Cleveland is a proud partner of Graffiti HeArt, who was the leader in getting these projects done with our support. Two of these murals were completed last month along Prospect Avenue in the Gateway District on the eastern side of the Euclid-Prospect Gateway Garage (adjacent to the K&D Group’s The Residences at 668). Both murals were painted live by internationally renowned French artist Yosh. He was able to integrate local pride and a sense of place into the art, specifically through the “J’Adore Cleveland” mural. These murals are Yosh’s first pieces done in the US, and his unique graffiti art style brightens the streetscape while creating distinct photo opportunities. 

Monster Steve’s Mural

An additional two murals were added just last week on Main Avenue in the Warehouse District along the northern wall of Town Management’s The Archer Apartment Homes. Artists Steve Ehret, also known as Monster Steve, and Alex Tang simultaneously installed their respective graffiti art murals. Steve’s art depicts a unique and fun monster walking down the hill; Alex’s mural depicts a cool “Rockin’ Always 216” backdrop painted in vintage Cleveland Cavaliers colors. These two murals are part of a larger vision by Downtown Cleveland to transform this Main Avenue wall into a mural canvas that connects  the Warehouse District and the Flats with a continuous series of public art installations. 

Projects such as these build on the momentum of last year’s murals installed by Ryan Jaenke and Alan Giberson, as well as the existing 27 Club Coffee mural.  

Alex Tang’s Rockin’ Always 216

These public art success stories show what is possible through collaboration. With excellent community partners like Graffiti HeArt, LAND Studio, FRONT, and others, Downtown Cleveland is able to identify potential mural locations, obtain necessary approvals and permits, understand the artists’ vision, and promote the artists and projects. This joint effort makes Downtown a brighter and more distinct place. Our team is developing a formal mural program to make more of these projects happen in the future and connect artists with the opportunity to make a mark on Downtown Cleveland. 

Public art is an incredibly effective tool at creating a sense of place and cultural distinctiveness. Art in the public realm is freely accessible to all people and fosters a sense of connection to the city. It also has the power to drive visitation and increase foot traffic as we work to rebuild our urban core in the aftermath of the pandemic. According to Americans for the Arts*, public art in a community is associated with greater economic regeneration and vitality. 

Please get in touch if you are interested in collaborating with us to bring new public art Downtown and further enhance our beautiful city center. 

Click here to read the full Reimagining Downtown Plan.

*Public Art Network. (n.d.). Why Public Art Matters. Americans for the Arts. https://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/PublicArtNetwork_GreenPaper.pdf