Cleveland's growing mural scene takes over downtown
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Rock around the block. Photos: Sam Allard/Axios
Downtown is getting a serious splash of color, with two massive murals adding to the city's growing collection of public art.
Why it matters: Cleveland has increasingly embraced murals as more than decoration — using them to enliven streets, create destinations and, in one case, even make downtown safer.
State of the art: Internationally renowned Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra has transformed the 55 Public Square parking garage with an 11,000-square-foot celebration of rock 'n' roll.
- It features portraits of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Wanda Jackson in Kobra's signature kaleidoscopic style.
- The mural was created with support from local nonprofit Graffiti HeArt, Downtown Cleveland Inc. and the Rock Hall and officially debuts at 3pm Tuesday with a ribbon cutting.
Just blocks away, local artist Ryan Jaenke and eight other artists recently unveiled Signal Flow, a 7,500-square-foot street mural along Huron Road and near Prospect Avenue and East 9th Street.
- The work draws inspiration from Cleveland's waterways, industrial history and infrastructure, tying into the city's broader Shore-to-Core-to-Shore vision.
- A $100,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies grant helped fund the project, which also doubles as a traffic-calming measure.
What they're saying: "Great downtowns give people experiences they cannot find anywhere else," said Michael Deemer, president and CEO of Downtown Cleveland, in a press release.
- "Eduardo Kobra's mural transforms an everyday structure into a destination and creates the kind of memorable experience that drives foot traffic, supports businesses, and builds pride in Cleveland."
The big picture: Murals have become a bigger piece of Cleveland's placemaking strategy.
- The 2021 Cleveland Walls festival produced roughly 20 murals in MidTown, while subsequent projects have brought new works to Clark-Fulton and other neighborhoods.
- In March, Destination Cleveland issued a call for artists for its third annual "Murals Across the City" program, which has produced nine new public art installations since 2023.