'Murals Across Ohio' celebrates Ohio's public art

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — In less than a year, America will mark its 250th birthday and the celebrations have already begun.

The America 250-Ohio Commission and the Ohio Arts Council are commemorating the milestone by introducing a new initiative highlighting public art across the state.

The project is called "Murals Across Ohio." It's a collection of murals in the state spanning all 88 counties.

"I think that America 250 across all of its programs really wants to collectively honor and recognize Ohio's contributions to the nation's past, its present and its future and public works of art are a great example of how to do that," said Donna Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council.

Collins said the Murals Across Ohio project makes it easier to connect with and visit public art through an online interactive map.

"There's a pinpoint for each mural that's currently on the map," she said. "When you click on it, you can see an image, you have the address, you know who the artist is."

Collins explained that the map helps to elevate not only the art itself, but also the artist who created it.

"They're so creative and I just love seeing their talent out there," she said. "Not just for us as Ohioans, but people who come into our state for business, for pleasure, vacation, for educational opportunities — they have the great opportunity to see what talent we have right here in Ohio."

These murals have been commissioned by different organizations or were done independently by a variety of artists in public spaces. Each mural is unique, adding beauty, helping to tell stories or making historical nods to its community's past.

"Public art is so important to all of us," said Collins. "To be filled up, to find joy. to have opportunities to be engaged with how artists see the world, to understand history, but I also think it's tourism."

Over 280 murals are listed on the map, and the hope is to add even more.

If you know of a mural in your community — that's not already on the map — and you'd like to see added, all you need to do is take a picture of it and fill out a submission form.

America 250-Ohio Commission will collect submissions and mural information through the end of 2026. To submit a form or view the interactive map, visit https://america250-ohio.org/murals-across-ohio/.