Sparks of Labor

Hamilton, OH - Skies threatened off and on all day.

A downpour as the Fitton Center facilities team set up for guests left the crew damp, but undeterred.

Then - just a few minutes before the 3 p.m. start time for the dedication ceremony - the sun broke through the clouds and shone down on the newest StreetSpark mural: Sparks of Labor.

Fitton Center Executive Director Ian MacKenzie-Thurley welcomed the crowd before handing off the event to StreetSpark Program Manager Jennifer Acus-Smith.

Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller and Vice-Mayor Lauren Smallwood each spoke glowingly of the power of art to influence and transform the city. Hamilton Community Foundation Director of Donor Services Jacob Stone-Welch added his thanks on behalf of the Foundation.

Designer and lead artist Sophie Groenstein praised the program, the city and the nearly 50 community volunteers who had a hand in bringing her 1,600-square-foot vision to life.

Rick Meyer of Meyer Brothers and Sons - on whose building at 720 Maple Avenue in the Jefferson neighborhood Groenstein and her team painted the mural - said he enjoyed the process of helping select the design and seeing it come to fruition.

Sparks of Labor is the 22nd full-scale mural created by StreetSpark artists since the program's founding in 2016.

The 23rd - Convergence, designed by Hamilton artist Brett Tachi - is under way at 990 Main Street on the west side of town. The dedication ceremony for that 700-square-foot is tentatively scheduled for early August.

Please enjoy some photos and video from the Sparks of Labor dedication ceremony below.