Hamilton, Ohio – The two latest mural projects by StreetSpark scheduled their dedication celebrations.
First up, Bartels’ Butterflies, the Madeline Tipton design at Bartels Heating and Cooling (929 Main Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011). The event is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 11.
Next, the dedication celebration for Stream of Consciousness – designed by Anissa Pulcheon – takes place the following week at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at the Lane Library (300 N. Third Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011).
Both events are FREE and open to the public.
Bartels Butterflies and Stream of Consciousness are the 18th and 19th StreetSpark murals completed since the program began in 2016. In addition, artists have designed and painted 17 utility boxes around the city. Artists Kiera Fisher, Michelle Furr and Sarah Hynfield created the three most recent boxes this summer.
Guests at each dedication will hear from StreetSpark Program Manager Jennifer Acus-Smith and the artists involved in the design and painting of the murals. City leaders and representatives from the Fitton Center’s partners at the Hamilton Community Foundation and ArtsWave also will be on hand.
“We have been watching with anticipation as the murals have progressed,” said Amy Berlean, Hamilton Community Foundation Director of Communications. “Not only because we proudly support StreetSpark, but also because we had a front-row seat across the street from the library mural.”
The artists tapped into their surroundings to create their murals.
“This metamorphosis mural honors the past and looks forward to the future,” Tipton said of Bartels’ Butterflies. “As migrating creatures, monarch butterflies are a symbol of hope and transformation. There will be some reflecting of the past in the next year as Bartels celebrates its 50th anniversary.”
Stream of Consciousness makes the Great Miami River a living character, a young girl with flowing water as hair and a large open book in her hands. “Science and the arts are so connected, so I wanted to nod to that with this design,” Pulcheon said about Stream of Consciousness. “Drawing from the warm tones of the architecture, the color palette is soothing and nature-inspired. A striking central focal point immediately draws people in, and they can find new details to enjoy each time they visit the library. I hope the river and her book inspire viewers to dive into the wonders of learning.”
“Each of the designers highlighted something endearing about the particular area where their murals are,” Acus-Smith said. “I believe they will resonate as universally appealing designs, as well as sources of neighborhood pride.”
Founded in 2016 in partnership between the Fitton Center, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation, StreetSpark furthers the creative identity of the city through exciting murals and public art projects. The program creates engagement by producing high-quality art, providing opportunities for local artists and enhancing the visual appeal of the city.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
