The Strauss Market Murals

A group of 10 artists took to the walls of a parking garage in Hamilton to create a collection of street art...

In a project by The Strauss Art Gallery, Artspace Hamilton Lofts and 17 Strong, a group of ten artists created a collection of street art known as The Strauss/Market Murals. From August 14th to 15th in a block party style, these artists each painted their own mural with it's own story. Ten different artists with ten different styles— but each mural was painted with the same Obstinate Orange color to reflect the positivity of Hamilton's beautiful sunsets. 

Each mural stands on its own and the meaning can be interpreted differently from person to person. However, when looked at together as a sequence from left to right... a story can be told. 

1. Dave Rickerd — Three Little Birds

Artist Statement: I have been painting most of my life and was first taught and inspired by my father who was also an artist. As we would paint signs in the garage together, I absorbed all I could by watching and practicing with him. My passion is painting murals and oil paintings for both residents and businesses. When I can, I include three little birds in my paintings. It represents the song from Bob Marley "Three Little Birds”. I like all the lyrics in the song, but my favorite is “Every Little Thing is Going to be Alright.” I want to dedicate a full mural to this simple, reassuring message.

2. David Jonathan — Eventually Sand: Where Waves Meet Rock

Artist Statement: In this mural, I am depicted an abstract scene of rocks soon to be hit by a crashing wave. While the rocks are jagged, sharp and unmoved, the wave is smooth but ferocious. And coming right for it. Eventually, sand will form. That is the meaning of this piece. That what we necessarily see and feel now won’t be the same as what’s coming in the future. This is a testament to the many things that each observe may conjure—be it on a personal or social level.  

3.  Ben Kaczmarek — Dontcha' DORA!?

Artist Statement: DONTCHA' DORA' is a play on the words door and DORA. It is a representation of the fun Night Life (and day life) in Hamilton Ohio, where All are welcome to jam and journey from bar to bar, spot to spot, with their favorite drink. This Jamin' Journey is a warning though that once you Open The Door'a and get your drink while dancing til the Night is Bright, you won't wanta stop!!! Love and Energy keeps this Night Life ALIVE!!

4. Lance Miller — Inspiration

Artist Statement: This mural is simply titled “Inspiration”. It is a double creation story which flows from left to right and right to left. The writer is telling the tale of the dancer, who was inspired by the singer, who was inspired by the songwriter, who had been inspired by the musician, that created music to capture the feeling of a piece from the painter, who was inspired by a photographer taking a picture of them all. One side of the story does not exist without the other having happened. This captures the raw essence of Inspiration that thrives and is intertwined throughout the whole of human existence. There is no depiction of religion, age, race, or gender, so that any individual human being passing by can identify themselves within and see themselves transformed into a larger than life creator, thus being inspired to live the ultimate life as a powerful creative.

5. Logan Walden — Sketchy Pigeon

Artist Statement: My mural concept is titled "Sketchy Pigeon". Its inspiration draws from the historic buildings and their ornate architecture in downtown Hamilton. These inspired shapes cascade toward one of Hamilton’s most prolific occupants; the Pigeon! If you live in Downtown Hamilton, you've shared an unforgettable moment with a pigeon at least once.

Punk-pigeons haven't been the only encounter I've had since moving to Downton Hamilton. There are lots of kids riding bikes, skateboarding, and playing in the parks and streets here. Once, I was walking my dog and was hit by a rogue snowball hailed from a young man from the top of the parking garage. At first, I thought, "that little punk," but then I thought... "that was cool" so in the right top corner of my mural I've illustrated the young snowball flinger, perched with his other punk-pigeon friends on top of the parking garage, in effort to culminate the mural's location and those who spend the most time around it.

I love living in Downtown Hamilton and am honored to be working on another mural in this town. It's a great community of all sorts of people... and pigeons.

6. Joshua Morrow — Kenetic Konnection

Artist Statement: This mural is based on the ideas of intersection, changeability and the everness of time and space. In design, it is multiple and various triangles and circles intersecting with each other within a pattern that could continue on and on outside of the lines of the mural. It has a center, but that’s a matter of opinion. And would continue to change overtime, as if the waves and motions were frozen in a moment of explosion. The ever constant explosions of our shifting realities. Everness of all things.

7. Brian Beck — I Walk These Streets With my Head in a Fishbowl...

Artist Statement: Hello, I’m Brian. I have created dozens of murals in the Cincy area over the past several years, including at breweries and places of business. In this scene of the abstract animal planet, I am blending certain things that don’t belong, but within the concept of nature. Is it underwater, thus the jellyfish and fish? Or is it in the sky, thus the birds? And is that currents or clouds? Truth is… even I don’t even know. And that’s the point. We humans are featured too as part of this narrative of nothingness, which I will do with a variety of techniques and methods. 

8. Scott Hubbard — Mind Over Body 

Artist Statement: “Mind Over Body” was inspired by my wife, my family, my friends and by anyone who has had their body put before their mind.  We are often judged, discriminated against, and even used because of our appearance before we have a chance to be heard or fully experienced.  Our race, gender, sexuality, size, abnormalities, age, etc., all contribute to who we are and what our mind becomes.  The way those are each presented to us by our environment and the people in it shape how our mind deals with our body and it can be mentally debilitating when our mind and feelings are made to be insignificant. Take note of the negative language that exists in the background, whereas the phrase “Mind Over Body” will pop in the forefront. This piece literally highlights the importance of putting people’s minds first.

9. Melissa Lucid — Hamilton Cityscape (Snow Globe Style)

Artist Statement: An abstract expressionist style of Hamilton will be displayed. As a native to Hamilton who has just recently returned, I will have a harmony of lines and color to tell the story of the city that shaped me as a person and artist. Truly told in a loose interpretation of the city of Hamilton, but there will be just enough within the design to make it recognizably our town.

10. Danielle Martin — Lion and Lamb

Artist Statement: This mural is based on one of my most popular paintings. I typically have profiles of animals, which often don’t get along well in the wild, facing each out respectfully, like might be seen in a coat of arms. In this case, the Lion and the Lamb—which is commonly used as a symbol for PEACE—are in the foreground of the sun. That is an acknowledgement of the really beautiful sunsets that appear in the Hamilton sky.

Visit The Strauss/Market Murals

Market Street | Hamilton, OH 45011

These collection of murals can be seen on the walls of the McDulin Garage in Hamilton. You can take the path through Rotary Park down to the garage, or through the Artspace Lofts' new Artist Alley, which will lead you directly to the Strauss/Market Murals. Artist Alley can be found off High St. in the alley of The Strauss Art Gallery and Almond Sisters Bakery. 

Project Leadership: David Stark (Artspace), Logan Walden (Artspace), Patrick Davis (Artspace)