08 May CoFo Invites Public Ideas for Riverfront Canvas Murals
Marion, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Grant County is inviting the public to help shape the Riverfront Canvas Public Arts Initiative, a community-driven mural project that will transform the Grant County riverfront into a public art gallery celebrating local stories, people, and places.
Centered in downtown Marion’s Arts District, the Riverfront Canvas will turn the Foundation’s historic 100 South Washington Street building into a vibrant visual narrative of Grant County’s identity. The initiative is guided by a five-member public art commission chaired by Marion Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr., with members Eric Marshall, Ron Mazellan, Courtney Middlesworth, and Keenan Davis.
Since its formation earlier this spring, the Commission has convened to develop both a project brief (See attached for details) and a community application process, outlining the themes, values, and goals that will guide the murals. Together, these tools ensure that public participation is central to shaping each stage of the project, from concept to creation.
“This project is about more than artwork on walls, it’s about telling the story of who we are as a community,” said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “We want every resident, student, business owner, and neighbor to see themselves reflected in these murals and to help shape what that story looks like.”
The Foundation and its commission are currently seeking input from residents across Grant County, including students, educators, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, faith communities, lifelong residents, and newcomers. Idea submissions may highlight individuals, places, or moments that deserve visual celebration. Once community ideas are collected, the commission will review submissions and collaborate with local artists to bring selected concepts to life.
“This is an opportunity for the public to play an active role in how we celebrate our shared history and our growing future,” said Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr. “By gathering voices from across the community, we’re creating something that authentically reflects the spirit of Grant County.”
To submit an idea, community members can complete the Riverfront Canvas Community Ideas application online HERE. Submissions may include short written descriptions, sketches, or visual references, so no artistic experience is required. Simply scan the QR code below or visit givetogrant.org to participate. Submission are due on or before midnight, May 31, 2026. All mural-related questions must be submitted via email to Murals@GiveToGrant.org.
About the Riverfront Canvas Public Arts Initiative
A project of the Community Foundation of Grant County, Inc., Riverfront Canvas is guided by a public art commission to celebrate the people, places, and stories that define Grant County’s character and history. The murals will honor the past while envisioning the future, creating a lasting symbol of community pride and connection.
About the Community Foundation of Grant County
Established in 1984, the Community Foundation of Grant County connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. The Foundation manages more than 400 charitable funds that advance a broad range of community initiatives. For more information, visit givetogrant.org.
Media Contact:
Shelly Jones
Chief Development Officer
Community Foundation of Grant County
Email: Shelly@GiveToGrant.org
Riverfront Canvas Public Arts Initiative
Project Brief
01 Project Overview
The Riverfront Canvas Public Arts Initiative is a community-centered public mural project of the Community Foundation of Grant County, Inc. Guided by a five-member commission and chaired by Marion Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr., the initiative will bring to life the positive stories, people, and places that have shaped Grant County into what it is today.
More than a beautification effort, this is an act of community storytelling. It is an opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that define Grant County’s character and history. It is also an acknowledgment of transformation: that communities grow, change, and reinvent themselves, and that public art can be a powerful way to honor that journey while strengthening community bonds for generations to come.
02 Purpose & Vision
The murals produced through this initiative will serve as enduring public expressions of who Grant County is and who it aspires to be. Each piece will be rooted in the lived experiences of residents, honoring those who built community and envisioning the future being shaped by those who live here today. The commission envisions murals that:
– Celebrate the individuals, organizations, and movements that have made Grant County distinct
– Tell the authentic, layered stories of community — from founding moments to present-day reinvention
– Reflect shared values of leadership, service, innovation, and resilience
– Create a visually cohesive public art experience anchored at the 100 South building and designed to inspire future artistic expansion throughout the Riverfront corridor
– Invite ongoing community ownership, pride, and connection to place
– Tell both well-known and untold stories that reveal the depth and diversity of Grant County’s history.
03 Thematic Framework
Community input will guide the selection of specific stories and subjects for each mural. The following thematic categories provide a starting framework for exploration:
– People Who Shaped Grant County: Deceased local leaders, educators, artists, tradespeople, and everyday heroes.
– Landmarks & Iconic Places: Historic buildings, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and natural landscapes, such as the riverfront, fields, and wildlife, define a unique sense of place in Grant County.
– Innovation & Progress: Local industries and inventions, turning points in the county’s growth, and visual interpretations of reinvention.
– Service & Civic Leadership: Acts of volunteerism, mentorship, and public service are expressed through visual metaphors of connection.
– Cultural & Artistic Heritage: Music, culinary traditions, storytelling, festivals, and artistic expression that are unique to Grant County.
– The Future We Are Building: Youth, innovation, sustainability, technology, hope, and other images that look forward and affirm Grant County’s capacity for continued growth and possibility.
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