08 May 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 in Grant County.
– 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.
All mural-related questions must be submitted via email to Murals@GiveToGrant.org. To read the full press release, click here.
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