Our first mural! It was also our second public art installation at Westgate Park. We chose our 2016 theme, The Fantastic Food Garden, to encourage healthy eating, community gardening, and urban homesteading. What better place for it than as the backdrop for our arts & music festival? After interviewing a number of muralists, we selected Danielle Poling because we loved her enthusiasm, her community spirit, and the brightness of her work.

What a HUGE job we had for her! The massive wall, which is 80 feet long and 20 feet high, included an existing 8’ x 24’ mural in the top left corner. The Children’s Mural had been designed by Aaron Grover and painted by resident artists, so it was important that the full mural incorporated and complemented Aaron’s mural. Danielle’s design did so seamlessly.

Sometimes, it seems that no good deed goes unpunished. Danielle found that to be true while completing the mural when the battery was stolen from the scissor lift she had been renting. Word spread through the community, and community members began dropping by to chip in for the replacement cost.

Despite running into some challenges, Danielle made quick work of the mural. She had a few good friends join her on her journey, and also invited the children of the Hilltop to have their handprints pressed into a dahlia on the forefront of the mural.

WOSU’s Broad & High filmed a short segment of the painting and aired it on their opening show of the fall season. Libby Jean Roller Derby Queen used it as a backdrop for a photo shoot, and Ohio House Rep. Adam Miller (who represents the Hilltop) filmed an ad in front of it. We expect a wedding to be held in front of it some day!

The mural can be found on the west wall of the racquetball court at Westgate Park, on the eastern side of the park.