Drive-Through at the Middletown Visitors Bureau
Stop by the Drive-Through on the back of the Windamere to pick up a Middletown Visitors Guide and a printed copy of the Mural Walking Tour Checklist!
Coca Cola Mural "Looking Back in Time"
Created by artist Eric Henn on the back (west) side of the First National Bank building at Main St and Central Ave. The mural depicts an old-fashioned portrait of Middletown and the Coke logo. Take a closer look to travel back in time! Location: 2 N Main Street, on the west facing wall of the former First Financial building, now owned by the City of Middletown; it is visible from Central Avenue going east into downtown. Artist & Date: artist Eric Henn completed this mural in 2005. About: This mural depicts a scene of what the view from that spot might have looked like in the early 1900s. Local people shown in the mural are Judy Bober, Joe Spencer & Henn’s daughter Allyson. It was touched up by Henn in 2014. The mural has been rapidly deteriorating since the touchup. Funded by: The Middletown Mural Committee.
Perry Mural
Perry Mural Location: 1 N Main St, on the north facing wall of the Cincinnati State Building. Artist & Date: Designed by artist Sam Ashworth & printed & installed by Digital Visuals in 2018. About: This mural depicts blueprint designs and features a portrait of Middletown entrepreneur & downtown champion Perry Thatcher with several inspirational words. Funded by: The Thatcher Family & the Art Central Foundation.
Trans-formative Union Mural
The Transformative Union - mural was designed by Osmany Piedra Cuza, a visiting artist from Baracoa, Cuba. About: The mural depicts a 90 foot long skeletal fish, made up of smaller fish & marine life. The mural was inspired by Cuba’s beautiful landscape and culture. Piedra led a group of student & community members in painting their own individual fish, all swimming together toward a common goal. He executed the painting with help from students at Cincinnati State and the Art Central Foundation. Location: 1021 Central Ave, on the east facing wall. Artists & Date: Lead Artist Osmany Piedra, a native of Baracoa, Cuba, with Apprentice Artists Xiarymar Correa, Melanie Fernandez, Kay Kleingers & Julia Vogelsang. The mural was completed in 2014 with help from students & volunteers of the Art Central Foundation. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation.
Jammin' Mural
Location: 1045 Central Ave, on the east facing wall of @ The Square.This 2,400 Sq. Ft. musical statement piece depicts bright and whimsical musical instruments and notes. Artists & Date: Designed by artist Sam Ashworth & painted by Lead Artists Rhonda Gardner & Christopher McCall with help from Art Central Foundation Students & volunteers, this mural was completed in 2014. Local artist, Sam Ashworth, designed this musical mural that doubles as the perfect backdrop for the concerts held on Governor’s Square during Broad Street Bash. About: This mural depicts stylized musical instruments and reflects the use of the adjacent Governor’s Square Park as a music venue. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation & The Middletown Mural Committee.
The Parrot Mural
Source - Rick McCrabb, Journal News ➡️A part of Middletown’s history and possible a look into its future are evident in the city’s latest mural, said a developer. Joshua Stout recently completed a large, colorful parrot mural on the front of the building at 1044 Central Ave. Kevin Kimener, owner of MLH Developers, bought the building two years ago and plans to renovate the second floor into two, two-bedroom apartments and convert the first floor into retail space. He said the Parrot Restaurant is part of the city’s downtown history so he wanted to incorporate a bird into the mural. He worked closely with Stout, who completed the 20-by-26 foot project in two days. Through his extensive research, Kimener discovered the Parrot Restaurant was located in two locations on Central Avenue and on South Main Street for many years until it closed and turned into Broadway News. So it was natural, he said, to feature a parrot in the mural. “I try to bring elements of history back to current day,” said Kimener, who is concentrating on developing downtown properties. He said the mural cost about $4,000 and its unveiling was “fantastic timing” because the Middletown Visitors Bureau just launched a one-mile walking mural tour called Adventure Through Art that includes 14 murals in the city. Kimener said Stout, whose work is featured throughout downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine, wants to complete more projects in Middletown. “He loves the downtown area,” Kimener said. The background of the mural is pink and the parrot’s shadow is purple, the color of Middletown High School, Kimener said. He said Stout painted the green leaves on the side pointing skyward because he and Kimener believe the revitalization of downtown is “looking up,” Kimener said. “There is growth occurring and it’s very viable,” he said of downtown. He believes the apartments and retail space will be available by the spring of 2021. He said Annie Jackson, of Middletown, has agreed to open Jackson Lane Design in the location and he already has received inquirers about the apartments.
Miami-Erie Canal Mural
This mural was created by Eric Henn in 2008. Location: 1131 Central Ave, east facing wall. About: The mural depicts life along the canal which followed the path of what is now Verity Parkway. Port Middletown was the main port along the Miami Erie Canal in the 1800's. Local figures shown in the mural are William Akers, Sr & Arthur Harvey. The mural is a part of the Port Middletown Park which includes a small working model of the canal lock system. Funded by: TV Middletown.
The Flower Man
The Flower Man comes to town in the dead of night. Where a long forgotten, long abandon building is for sale. He buys it. He fixes it up. And everything he touches ...turns to color! He plants a garden and gives away a little flower - to a little girl ...who turns to color! Before you know it each life is touched while color spreads throughout the street, throughout the town... all impacted by the life of the extraordinary Flower Man. The first time through, just follow the Flower Man and you'll see the story revealed in color. Second time through just look in a window and follow a character. Every window and everyone on the street has a story to be discovered. Get lost in the whimsical details. You will even notice many of our downtown Middletown depicted in the mural. Can you see it? ABOUT THE ARTIST Ryan Combs from Positive Vibe Studios
Growth Mural
Artist & Date: Designed by Lead Artist Brandon Johnston was completed in 2013 with the help of Art Central Foundation Apprentice Artists Dylan Asbury, Kay Kleingers and Julia Vogelsang. About: The mural depicts the growth of vegetable from the community garden behind the church, and references the spiritual growth of the congregation. The Gathering church serves the homeless and other downtown residents. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation.
Lift Off Mural
This mural was the Art Central Foundation’s first student designed & painted exterior mural. Artist & Date: Young Artist Kay Kleingers designed & painted this mural with the help of Art Central Foundation students and was completed in 2015. About: This mural depicts hot air balloons that flew in the local Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival. In the early 1990s, Middletown became famous for sponsoring Hot Air Balloon competitions. For three years, 1992-1994, the Balloon Federation of America held their U.S. Hot Air Balloon Championship at Hook Field/Smith Park in Middletown. 100 of the nation's best balloonists competed and a similar number of balloonists, not in the competition, also flew during the 3-day event. This mural celebrates Middletown's rich balloon history. Middletown Mural - Not officially named This mural captures Middletown's unique activities and beautiful buildings, from sky diving to hot air balloons, to downtown buildings. The sun represents the recent boom in Middletown, just like how downtown is rising right now. It was created by Xena Hattar and Ryan Combs. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation.
The Goddess of the Street Waters
Full of bright colors and designs, this mural captures energy and excitement. The lead artist brought her vision for Goddess, Oshun, to Butler County from Baracoa, Cuba. Artist & Date: Lead artist Luis Eliades Rodriguez, a visiting artist from Baracoa, Cuba, completed this mural in 2013 with help from students & volunteers of the Art Central Foundation. About: The mural depicts the Afro/Cuban Goddess Oshun, Goddess of the Sweet Waters and features the colorful snails, Polymitas, which are only found in Cuba. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation.
Flowers by Roger
Artist & Date: Lead Artist Brandon Johnston completed this mural in 2013 with the help of Art Central Foundation students & community volunteers. About: The mural was presented in honor of an artistic exchange program with Cuba in 2013. Johnston designed the American side of the mural in a Cuban style depicting brightly colored flowers & fruit to reflect the business located in the building. Funded by: The Art Central Foundation.
Gears Mural
Artist & Date: Designed by artist Sam Ashworth & painted by artist Rhonda Gardner, this mural was completed in 2014. About: The mural depicts gears, which are used to reference the original use of the building as a the Shartle Brothers machine shop. Funded by: The Middletown Historical Society.
Make Life a Ride
Located on the side of the building housing BWM Motorcycles of Greater Cincinnati. Artist: Mark Hanavan, completed 2019.
Shetter Carnival Mural
The Shetter Carnival Mural is a depiction of a photo taken in 1914 of the A B Shetter Carnival Sale on North Broad Street. Muralist, Eric Henn, brought this historic image back to present day. Shetter Carnival Mural Location: 1028 Manchester Avenue, on the south facing wall of the YMCA building. Artist & Date: Artist Eric Henn completed this mural in 2004. About: This mural depicts the A B Shetter Carnival Sale on N Broad Street taken from a photo dated April 14, 1914 held at Broadway and Central. The piece was originally hung on the City Parking Garage which crossed over Broad Street at that very spot. The 74’ x 18’ mural, which was painted in 38 panels, was removed and stored for several years when the parking garage was demolished. Rehung in 2014, the mural was touched up and preserved by Henn. Funded by: The Middletown Mural Committee.
