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ArtsinStark, the City of Canton, Downtown Canton Partnership and Visit Canton recently announced the selection of artists for the inaugural Mural Fest — a celebration of art, culture and community transforming blank walls into an outdoor mural gallery.
This dynamic public art display features the creation of 13 new murals during the month of September, all located throughout the northeast section of downtown Canton between Walnut Avenue and Cherry Street. The finished projects will be unveiled during Mural Fest’s community-wide event from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 28.
After a highly competitive selection process, the Mural Fest committee selected the following artists:
“Mural Fest is more than just an art event; it’s a celebration of these talented artists, hailing from diverse backgrounds and disciplines,” said Ally Bussey, president and CEO of Visit Canton. “We are excited to see how these artists will bring their unique visions to life and how their work will inspire both residents and visitors alike.”
Canton artist Kat Francis wanted the design of her mural to portray the calmness and beauty of the community’s nature and the promise of our younger generation. She was inspired by The Litter Critters, a group of local youth who clean up trash in areas of Canton, when conceptualizing the mural for the Fourth Street Collective building — home to Deli Ohio, Mike’s Pizza and UnHitched Brewing Co.
“I wanted to show a raccoon, the late-night dweller of the city, as a true resident hustling to survive, but in a stoic way that had a nod to the Litter Critters crew,” said Francis. “Kids who grow up in Canton are inspired. They take care of where they live and want to make the future brighter. Since my mural will also be on the side of a pizza place and beer garden, I added plants that make sense for that business: hops, barley, mushrooms, etc.”
Francis has a love for painting murals and creating something on a large scale that impacts the community.
“I like to tell stories about the place the mural exists in," Francis said. "I want it to take life and be a fun new friend for the people who see it — that’s what I hope for. I hope it brings them joy. I hope they have fun playing ‘I spy’ with what plants I tie in. I hope young girls see a female artist painting such a large piece and feel confident in themselves that they can do it one day as well.”
Mural Fest is designed to be accessible to everyone, with opportunities for the public to engage with the artists and learn more about the creative process. In addition to the murals, Mural Fest will feature a variety of activities, including live music and food vendors, making it a community event for art lovers and families to enjoy.
For more information about Mural Fest and its featured artists, visit www.downtowncanton.com/mural-fest.