Explore Hamilton's Instaworthy Murals

These 18 murals bring new life to the streets of Hamilton, Ohio!

The StreetSpark program was founded in partnership with the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, the City of Hamilton, and the Hamilton Community Foundation. This public art program aims to help enhance the arts identity of Hamilton as well as create more opportunities for local artists. StreetSpark has completed a few murals every summer since 2015. Learn more about all 18 murals below! 

1. Make Way for McCloskey

Location: Hamilton Mill | 20 High Street

Designer: Stephen Smith

Make Way for McCloskey pays homage to local writer and illustrator, Robert McCloskey. This composition incorporates images (left to right) from his books Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings and Homer Price. This mural was the first of the StreetSpark program, completed in summer 2016.

2. Alexander

Location: Armstead Park | Main and D Streets

Designer: Nicole Trimble

This design consists of a stylized image of Alexander Hamilton, based on John Trumbull’s iconic 1806 portrait.The abstract and graphic qualities of the mural provide a compelling contrast to the surrounding area, juxtaposing contemporary art with the historic buildings of the neighborhood and furthering the focus on the arts in Hamilton’s Main Street area. This mural was completed in summer 2016.

3. Taking Flight

Location: Rotary Park | High and Second Streets

Designer: Taylor Welch

This design is titled "Taking Flight" and symbolizes a city reaching new heights. The sparrow is represented in three stages as it takes flight and has been abstracted and stylized to resemble an origami bird. This mural was completed in summer 2017.

4. The Delicate Balance of Progress

Location: Unsung Salvage Design Company | 212 Main Street

Designer: Annie Hamel

This design is intended to evoke the notions of serenity, fragility and peace. The delicacy of the origami foldings and the beauty of this ancestral manual activity reminds us of the careful work of the craftsmen who currently occupy the building. This mural was completed in summer 2017. 

5. Left Hander for Life

Location: Clarks Sporting Goods | 15 South B Street

Designer: Paul Loehle

This mural design depicts legendary Hamilton native Joe Nuxhall, both as a young Cincinnati Reds pitcher in the prime of his career, and later in life as a philanthropist and popular local figure. His pitching hand is extended as if into the space of the viewer, showcasing a pitcher's grip and displaying his signature. This mural was completed in summer 2017.

6. Golden Ethos

Location: North Second Tap | 134 North Second Street

Designer: Christian Dallas

With music being heard not only at the North Second Tap and Bottle Shop, but also across the street at the beautiful Riversedge Amphitheater, this mural amplifies the musical mood of the area and creates a visual marker of what this specific part of Hamilton is all about. This mural was completed in summer 2018.

7. Paint the Town Red

Location: Miami Hamilton Campus | 1601 University Boulevard

Designer: Stephen Smith

This design is a whimsical take on the skyline of Downtown Hamilton. It features many major buildings such as the historic Butler County Courthouse, the Municipal Building and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in 'Miami Red.' It also features the Great Miami River with the train bridge and the Main/High Street bridge. This mural was completed in summer 2018.

8. Hey Caddy-O

Location: Jeff Pohlman Tire & Auto Repair | 736 High Street

Designer: Nicole Trimble

This mural features a classic mint green Cadillac Coupe de Ville, parked on a highway trailing off into the sunset. This iconic mid-50’s car draws attention to the current use of the building as well as the automotive manufacturing history of Hamilton, in particular Fisher Body, which produced bodies for Cadillac from 1947 through 1988. This mural was completed in summer 2018.

9. Incrementum

Location: First Financial-Max Stacy Flowers Building | 350 High Street

Designer: Paul Loehle

This mural depicts Hebe, the Greek goddess of Spring, as a central figure that pays tribute to the statue that will adorn the landscape in front of the mural. Flanking the statue are peace lilies, which connect with the doves on both the left and right side as a repeated symbol of peace. The curved archways surrounding Hebe deepen the connection to classical Greek art, and the right arch is engraved with the word Incrementum, which is Latin for growth. This mural was completed summer 2019.

10. The Flowing Pride of Lindenwald

Location: Minnick’s Drive Thru | 2537 Pleasant Avenue

Designer: Dave Rickerd

Lindenwald is a place rooted in rich history and community pride. This mural showcases the places and landmarks that helped make Lindenwald an integral Hamilton neighborhood. This mural was completed in summer 2019.

11. Inspiring the Future

Location: Booker T. Washington Community Center | 1140 S. Front Street

Designer: Jamie Schorsch

This mural was in part inspired by the Harlem Renaissance works of artist, illustrator, and art educator Aaron Douglas. The emphasis of the BTW Center as a means for providing a nurturing environment and enrichment for youth and teens through various programs serves as the primary inspiration for the imagery in this design. This mural was completed in summer 2019.

12. Ro-Bros

Location: 802 Heaton Street

Designer: Logan Walden

This mural depicts two larger-than-life robot brothers amidst a vibrant stylized sky. The windows of this building function as the characters' eyes and even light up at night! The North End neighborhood has a strong industrial history and is located in a residential area where all ages are present, so the design pays tribute to the past while offering an image that is contemporary and fun for all ages. This mural was completed in summer 2020. 

13. Garden Parade

Location: Jefferson Park | Corner of East and Henley Avenues

Designer: Lizzy DuQuette

In this joyful mural design, we see a group of children parading between giant sunflowers and whimsical garden creatures. The children climb and play with the oversized flowers, mirroring activities at the nearby playset. Inspired by the mission of the Boys and Girls Club and the surrounding Jefferson community, this mural seeks to help children feel welcomed and instill a sense of belonging. This mural was completed in summer 2020. 

14. Garden of The Dogs

Location: ELITE Performance & Wellness | 190 N. Brookwood Avenue

Designer: Christian Dallas

This mural gives viewers a layered composition filled with meaning and connections to the specific location, region, and state it resides in. This mural depicts a dynamic garden of native flora and fauna, such as the trillium flower, buckeye tree and ladybugs. Another layer of this complex design includes hidden bulldog images as a nod to nearby Hamilton High School. This mural was completed in fall 2020.

15. Expressions of Power

Location: Traffic Signal Cabinet | Corner of High Street and MLK Boulevard

Designer: Anissa Pulcheon

This design is a seamless wrap around the utility box, so it's different every way it's viewed! Fashion and hairstyles change, but the power, joy, and creativity of girls are eternal. Anissa is always highlighting the beauty and diversity of women in my work, which she believes needs no special occasion to celebrate. This design is an everyday celebration, from the patterned clothes, quirky small touches, and falling confetti. This mural was completed in summer 2021. 

16. Changing the World through Art, One Kid at a Time

Location: Traffic Signal Cabinet | Corner of Main and B Street

Designers: Brent and Lavelle Billingsley

This design is a collaborative piece created by a father and son artist team. The background artwork was created by Brent Lavelle Billingsley II, an 11 year-old Hamilton native. The grey-toned foreground portrait was created by his father, Brent Billingsley, of his son and is a representation of Hamilton’s diverse population. This team continues expand their artistic style as they work on different art projects in the community and in the Greater Cincinnati Region as well. This mural was completed in summer 2021. 

17. Charge the Line

Location: 204 North Third Street

Designer: Jennifer Eickelberger

This design honors the Hamilton Fire Department, their bravery and their sacrifice. The firefighter is wearing the mask they would wear when entering a fire. There is smoke behind him but because of their hard work, the city is safely intact in the shield and skyline. There are 13 stars to represent the 13 firefighters that have lost their lives in the line of duty on the HFD. There are two dates on the mural, 1827 signifies when the department was formed and 1917 to honor when the local fire union formed. This mural was completed in summer 2021. 

18. Cultivating Community

Location: Telhio Credit Union | 601 Park Avenue

Designer: Jamie Schorsch

The concept of this design was inspired by Telhio's ideals of caring, commitment and integrity. Compositional elements used in the design are inspired by Art Deco rendering traditions that were prevalent in the artwork of 1930’s, when the Credit Union was founded, as well as the architecture throughout the City of Hamilton. The hands also represent the way Telhio redistributes income back to its members and the community, with water flowing to signify growth and prosperity. This mural was completed in summer 2021.

Learn more about StreetSpark & download the Mural Map here!