StreetSpark seeks design approval

Hamilton, Ohio – The StreetSpark program begins its second decade with a presentation to Hamilton City Council seeking design approval for its 2026 murals.

"To celebrate 10 years of StreetSpark, our 2026 mural selections reflect the heart and history of Hamilton,” said Jennifer Acus-Smith, StreetSpark program manager. “From our storied industrial roots to the vibrant families in our neighborhoods, these murals celebrate the diverse tapestry of our community.

“Our selection committee prioritized works that not only reflect the city’s many facets, but also introduce fresh, unique styles to our growing public art collection."

Acus-Smith appears before city council during its 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday, March 25. The meeting takes place in the city building at 345 High Street, Hamilton, OH 45011.

The two full-scale mural sites and two utility-box locations already have approval. The larger site is about 1,650 square feet at Meyer Brothers & Sons (720 Maple Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45011) in the Jefferson Neighborhood. The smaller site is about 700 square feet at Pfefferle Tire & Auto (990 Main St. Hamilton, Ohio 45013). One utility box is on High Street, the other, Second Street.

Sophie Groenstein of Hartford, Connecticut, designed “Sparks of Labor” for the Meyer Brothers & Sons location as “a tribute to the hands that built Hamilton.”

“The design has come a long way,” she said. “The background is a really old map of the area. I wanted that to feel like a blueprint. It marries the industrial history of Hamilton with the spark of what lies ahead.”

Hamilton artist Brett Tachi was part of the painting team that brought the 2025 StreetSpark “Viva El Sueno” mural to life at Hamilton Living Waters Ministry. She designed “Convergence” for the 700 square-foot space feet at Pfefferle Tire & Auto.

“I hope people see something new in it every time they look,” she said. “There are lots of little hidden pockets to explore. I just want to inspire a sense of wonder and imagination and for people to look at where they live with a new eye.”

Melissa Peterson of Hamilton designed the High Street utility box entitled “Busy as a Bee.”

“(The) design is about the fruits of labor from the relentless toil for transformation,” according to her artist’s statement. “Hamilton as a city has undergone a tremendous metamorphosis over the past 15 years. The design with a bee framed in florals embodies the idea that with that toil comes growth and abundance.”

Students from the Hamilton High School public art class – under the guidance of instructor Paul Loehle – each made a design for a utility box on Second Street. Makayla Reinersman’s “Music for All” got the nod.

Featuring a variety of instruments and music equipment, her mural also highlights deaf musical artist Sean Forbes, providing “a unique insight into how music transcends hearing to become a felt, visual, and shared art form. Placed in the heart of the community, this piece invites passersby to appreciate the diverse perspectives and creative expressions that shape our collective way of life.”

In partnership with the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation, if approved, these four designs will join the 21 large-scale murals and 17 utility boxes created by StreetSpark artists in the first decade since its founding in 2016.

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