Client: Kovacic Recreation Center

Overview

In a recent achievement, we completed a notable project for the City of Cleveland at the Kovacic Recreation Center, securing the prestigious Best National Mural Award of 2023. We were given submissions of photographs from the local community, which served as the foundation for a visually stunning mural incorporating topographical elements of the neighborhood. The project presented a unique set of challenges, as it involved working with multiple substrates and depths on the designated wall. We successfully brought this vibrant mural to life, gaining well-deserved recognition for artistic excellence.

Goals

The goals for integrating commissioned artwork into the Kovacic Recreation Center project in Cleveland were strongly oriented towards celebrating community and place-making. By using photographs submitted by local residents as the foundation of the mural, the aim was to create a piece of public art that was deeply relevant and personally resonant to the people who use the recreation center and live in the neighborhood.

The objectives included:

1. **Community Engagement**: The process of gathering local photographs was a means of involving residents in the creative process, fostering a sense of ownership and pride amongst the community members.

2. **Reflecting Local Identity**: The incorporation of topographical elements of the neighborhood into the mural was intended to showcase the unique character and landscape of the area, thus strengthening local identity.

3. **Aesthetics and Visual Impact**: Aimed at creating a visually stunning piece, the mural was designed to be a significant visual landmark within the recreation center, enhancing the aesthetic value and appeal of the public space.

4. **Overcoming Technical Challenges**: Given the complexity of working with multiple substrates and depths, part of the goal was to demonstrate artistic innovation and technical skill, tur

Process

Bringing the Kovacic Recreation Center mural project to life required a multi-faceted collaboration between various parties, each bringing their expertise and community insights to the table. Here’s a breakdown of the collaboration process:

**Community Involvement and Concept Development:**
- The project began with outreach to the local community to submit photographs that held personal significance. This collaborative effort set the foundation for the mural's concept, directly involving the community in the creative process.
- Artists, designers, or a curatorial team would analyze the photographs to develop a concept that reflected the topographical elements and narratives collected from the submissions.

**Artistic Design and Approval:**
- With the base concept in place, artists would work to create an initial design draft that represented the community's input while also considering the unique structural aspects of the designated wall.
- The design draft would then be presented to the City of Cleveland, stakeholders at the Kovacic Recreation Center, and possibly a community board for feedback and approval.

**Technical Planning and Material Selection:**
- Once the design was approved, the next phase would involve detailed planning on how to address the challenges of the wall'