COLUMBUS, Ohio — In this time of quarantine, Gravity Uplifts coordinator and artist Adam Brouillette says he wanted to inspire first responders and passersby with a thoughtful, and creative mural.

“I knew this was going to be on the riverfront, the Santa Maria used to be down here, sort of like a homage to Columbus on the riverfront. But a kind of reminder to people to just keep going,” said Gravity Uplifts organizer, Adam Brouillette. 

  • Central Ohio artists are joining forces to help uplift and inspire the community
  • Murals will be placed at various locations across the city
  • The Gravity Uplifts initiative began Friday at Genoa Park in Columbus and at Gravity in Franklinton 

Brouillette is one of dozens of working artists taking part in Gravity Uplifts, a collaboration of private, public and community partners.

Each mural cube is made up of 8 foot by 8 foot paintings, each by a different artist.

Mural artist Mandi Caskey says it's great to be around her peers after a period of reflection. 

“Just getting together and brainstorming and actually making stuff happen has been the best experience. This piece kind of just represents the love that's within and remembering that everything we have is with each other,” said mural artist Mandi Caskey. 

The group plans to add six to eight additional mural cubes in various areas of the city including the Scioto Mile, OSU's Medical Center campus and on Short North to name a few. 

Can't Stop Columbus and Create Columbus are working to raise funds for additional cubes. 

“We've also got posters and postcards done by local artists that are available to pick up at Taft's. So people can write encouraging cards. Those cards will be distributed to frontline workers across the community,” said Director of Communities for Kaufman Development Lauren Schott. 

For Brouillette, he says working together, and pulling off a project like Gravity Uplifts is very rewarding, as well as an opportunity to make a living while sharing his passion with the entire community. 

“We have over 40 artists who are being paid to do work in a time when a lot of artists have lost work. And just the opportunity to work with all these organizations to do something kind is a big story in itself,” said Brouillette. 

If you’d like to donate for future mural projects, visit the Cbus Arts Hub website.