The Elyria Community Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Elyria and local stakeholders, has announced a call for artists to create a large-scale mural on the exterior of Elyria City Hall. This initiative aims to celebrate the city’s rich history while envisioning its future.
The mural will be prominently displayed on a wall facing Ely Square and the nearby Huntington building. According to officials, the project seeks to capture the essence of Elyria’s past and its aspirations moving forward.
Monet Roberts-Walton, executive director of Elyria Community Partnership, emphasized the importance of storytelling through art. “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,” she stated. “Elyria is in motion, and this is an opportunity to capture that through public art.”
Collaboration and Community Engagement
The selected artist will engage closely with the Elyria Community Partnership, city administration, City Council members, and a focus group of stakeholders, including youth representatives. The process will begin with an initial vetting phase, followed by a workshop where the artist will gather community feedback to 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 from local, regional, and national levels are encouraged to apply. Candidates should possess experience in completing murals of similar scale. While specific themes are not mandated, stakeholders have suggested inspiration from 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 remarked. “When people come downtown and see this mural, we want their first impression to reflect how beautiful and meaningful this community is.”
Aligning with Community Priorities
This mural project aligns with the broader mission of the Elyria Community Partnership to enhance quality of life and boost downtown vibrancy. Public art emerged as a priority during the organization’s 2023 vibrancy action plan, which was shaped by extensive community input.
“Art creates a sense of value and pride,” Roberts-Walton explained. “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 later this year, potentially coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and Elyria’s summer programming, pending city review process approvals.
Applications are due by noon on February 10, 2024. Artists must submit all application materials in a single PDF file not exceeding 15MB. Submission should be sent via email to [email protected] with the subject line “Elyria City Hall Mural.”
For further details, interested artists can visit the Elyria Community Partnership’s website.
