The Elyria Community Partnership, in conjunction with the City of Elyria and local stakeholders, has initiated a call for artists to design a large-scale mural on the exterior of Elyria City Hall. This mural will be prominently displayed on a wall facing Ely Square and the adjacent Huntington building, serving as a visual representation of the city’s history and aspirations for the future.
Officials emphasize the importance of selecting an artist who can honor Elyria’s rich past while also contributing to a narrative about its direction moving forward. “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,” said Monet Roberts-Walton, executive director of the Elyria Community Partnership. “Elyria is in motion, and this is an opportunity to capture that through public art.”
Collaborative Process with Community Engagement
The chosen artist will engage closely with the Elyria Community Partnership, city administration, City Council members, and a focus group that incorporates youth perspectives. Following an initial vetting phase, the selected artist will participate in a workshop designed to gather community feedback and refine their concepts prior to execution.
Roberts-Walton highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “This is a highly collaborative process. 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.”
Local, regional, and national artists are encouraged to apply, provided they possess experience in executing murals of comparable size. While specific themes are not mandated, stakeholders have suggested various concepts for inspiration, including 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 added. “When people come downtown and see this mural, we want their first impression to reflect how beautiful and meaningful this community is.”
Enhancing Community Identity and Pride
This mural project aligns with the broader goals of the Elyria Community Partnership, which aims to enhance the quality of life and stimulate vibrancy in the downtown area. The organization identified public art as a key priority in its 2023 vibrancy action plan, which incorporated extensive community feedback.
“Art creates a sense of value and pride,” Roberts-Walton noted. “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 by the end of 2024, potentially coinciding with celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary and Elyria’s summer programming, pending necessary approvals through the city’s review process.
Artists interested in submitting their proposals must do so by noon on February 10, 2024. All application materials are to be compiled into a single PDF file, not exceeding 15MB, and emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Elyria City Hall Mural.” For further details, please visit the Elyria Community Partnership’s website.