A new mural at Habitat for Humanity ReStore on 309 W Union St. brought together several Athens organizations and dozens of residents for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday evening despite the cold weather.
The mural is a result of the joint effort between the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact, Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio and Passion Works Studio. These local organizations worked in tandem to add a piece to the OUCU Financial Mobile Art Project of Passion Works.
Mobile Art Project participants of all ages create innovative artworks across neighborhoods, striving to create colorful and welcoming spaces.
“It takes a community to build a community. I have said that since the beginning of my time at Habitat 14 years ago, and this project is a great example of that,” Kenneth Oehlers, executive director of Habitat for Humanity at Southeast Ohio, said in his speech. “When you take everybody working together to create something, it truly turns into something magical, and that’s what we have in front of us here today with this mural.”
The mural, painted with oranges, pinks and blues and other playful designs, now brightens Union Street. Tanner Ingle, full-time staff artist in residence at Passion Works, said designing the mural was a collaborative process.
“Our graphic designer compiled drawings and images that were created by our Passion Works artists, and she put them together in a document, which we, as staff members, came out and projected the images using this Bluetooth projector system,” Ingle said.
Ingle said the mural represents the passion and dedication of the Athens neighborhood.
“It exemplifies the spirit of our community, in that we are honoring everybody’s voices, everyone’s unique talents, and really using projects like this to show what can be achieved when folks come together,” Ingle said.
Ingle also said they have never worked on a mural of this scale and learned that when people come together, tremendous work can be done.
Claire Howard, a sophomore studying communications, is an intern for the storytelling institute and social media director for Ohio University’s chapter of Turn It Gold, an organization that raises awareness and money for those with childhood cancer.
Howard said the mural has a profound meaning.
“I think it shows that everyone has a place,” Howard said. “I feel like there are so many different people who came in and helped out with the mural … it just shows that there’s a community here. We know there’s one, but it’s just a visual representation of community and collaboration.”
After volunteering to paint some of the mural, Howard enjoyed seeing it grow and come to life over months of hard work.
Five-year-old Delaney Lucas, a childhood cancer survivor, was in attendance at the event and helped cut the ribbon. Her art was featured on the mural.
Kristina Rana, a graduate student studying food and nutrition sciences and the president of OU’s chapter of Turn It Gold, said the impact of featuring artwork from children is powerful.
“I think it’s really impactful getting the artists at Passion Works and their work out there, but also the artwork from the kids who have childhood cancer,” Rana said. “Seeing those symbols around campus and around the community, it's super impactful.”
The OU dance team and cheerleaders performed in honor of Lucas, and speakers highlighted the sun she painted in the mural.
Rana said the mural brought together a unique collection of people, with OU athletics and various local organizations working together to make it what it is today.
“It really is like a melting pot of organizations and people with the same goals with this type of work. I think that’s the most important part,” Rana said.
Artists, OU athletes, local organizations and Lucas lined up along the ribbon and cut it together, celebrating months of hard work.
“Even though it’s a crazy time in the world, there are opportunities to kind of celebrate unity and community and people coming together,” Ingle said.
