Murals

Near the end of my week-long road trip through Ohio and West Virginia six years ago, I was traveling in the southermost tip of Ohio toward the Ohio River and came to the old and historic river town of Portsmouth.

I drove into the city and was astounded by what I saw along a half-mile stretch of the river: an extraordinarily detailed and panoramic mural, in dozens of sections, detailing the history of the city and surrounding area. It was amazing. Each panel was 20 feet high and about 80 feet long and all were located along a floodwall which protected the city from rising waters of the Ohio River. Officially, it’s called “The Portsmouth, Ohio Floodwall Murals” (“2000 feet of history, 2000 feet of art”).

According to the Scioto (Ohio) County web site, “The purpose of the floodwall mural project is to create an outdoor art gallery depicting the last two centuries of the history of Portsmouth and the surrounding area.”

The project began in 1993 and was largely complete when I visited in the fall of 1996. The artist for the murals is Robert Dafford of Lafayette, Louisiana.

What an extraordinary testimonial to the spirit and pride of a town to have commissioned such an elaborate mural that tells the story of the place. I remember parking my car and walking the length of the mural, taking pictures and studying the incredible detail. The colors were vivid and alive. It was mesmerizing. I could have stayed for hours.

My first real acqaintance with murals was in downtown Columbia, in 1975, when the artist Blue Sky completed his fantastic Tunnelvision mural on the side of a bank building. Look at it and drive into the world of the artist.

Ever since then, I have had a fascination for these huge outdoor paintings and artworks, truly embodying a deeply-felt “sense of place’ wherever they are located.

If you are ever in Portsmouth, Ohio, you must drive to the riverfront downtown and see the Floodwall Murals.

Portsmouth, Ohio Floodwall Murals

fascinating… i went to school in that part of the world… but do you know you posted this (in variations) three times? 🙂

forever in motion

April 29, 2002

This is fabulous. I saw a wonderful mural in Pt. Pleasant, WV last year – I’ll need to get to that write-up. Love the tunnelvision mural, though it looks dangerously possible to drive into it. xxoo,

Shi

There have been a couple of wall murals done in our town about its history. These were intriguing as well.

Edelweis

The Ohio Floodwall Murals are magnificent!!! I think one could stay there and look for hours! I always like scenes that show how life and evironment looked so far back in the past. Looking at men, women, families and their environment make me wonder about their lives and habits. The tunnelvision mural is great! I think, in one of my inattentive moods I would try to drive in it maybe :o(

I lived in Ashville, Ohio for a few years. I still keep in touch with my friends there. Thanks for the tour! Love,

Just a quick hello. I’m behind in my reading. I’ll catch up this afternoon.

A great idea to transform an otherwise ugly wall. I also liked the tunnel although I had to laugh as, I’m so easily disorientated, I’m sure I’d try to walk through it.

April 30, 2002

I thankful for your note Oswego! It means so much to me, and as I often say…sharing our thoughts and feelings with a dear one is so very comforting. Certainly when we feel unsure and face a future which is so unfamiliar to us. It’s true, take each day one at a time is what I also try to do and I think I am fortunate that I am able to “see” so much beauty. That’s what gives me strenght,

and in solitude surrounded by nature and silence I will mostly find comfort too. Pondering about how much beauty we get and how wonderful creation is makes me feel less sad for what we loose! Thank you dear friend and take care,

GeekPoet

i love art on buildings. it’s somehow more important than what you see in a museum. it’s there, its part of life and everyday, and it’s not preservable. aside from taking the wall itself, the art will be destroyed when the building is. i think i also like seeing murals and such on buildings because it’s modern day cave-drawings. as much as we evolve and progress, we stay the same.

April Fool

May 1, 2002

Hello, again! I just happened upon a note from you in another diary. I’m very intrigued with this wall…thanks so much for posting this. I looked at the details, and am fascinated and amazed that one man could have accomplished this…but well, I guess he had some time to do it. This is just great, though!

Doodlebug

I’m a mural fan, too. The flood wall ones look great!

I never knew anything in Ohio could be interesting until now. I always learn something when I read your entries. Now I know Ohio does have some interesting things just like I learned that Nebraska can be interesting and beautiful. I wonder how they keep kids from writing graffiti all over the murals.