COLUMBUS, Ohio — During the pandemic, you'll most likely find Columbus artist Adam Hernandez working on a project in his home studio. In 2019, he was named Columbus Best Artist, and his murals are on display across the country. 


What You Need To Know

  • Art for Action is a national non-partisan effort encouraging residents to vote

  • Eight artists from Columbus have taken part in the venture

  • The Wexner Center for the Arts and Orange Barrel Media are behind the Columbus project

 

But perhaps his most impactful work is a project he recently completed for the Art for Action campaign.  This digital offering is on display in Short North, and encourages people of all ages to go out and vote. 

“Saw there was an opportunity to do an animation. It's something I've always been passionate about ever since I was a little kid, love the cartoons. So, I've been wanting to work on this — it would be a great opportunity to teach myself how to do it,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez is one of eight Columbus artists taking part in the project, which is a partnership between the Wexner Center for the Arts and Orange Barrel Media. 

Overall, 350 screens in 16 cities will be running the digital billboard, reaching out to more than 100 million potential voters in key battleground states. 

“The one opportunity that we have to make a difference in this country is to vote so, I'm hoping it encourages people to do so,” said Hernandez.

Whether it's digitally on the iPad or in person creating a mural using graffiti art, Hernandez says his focus these days is spreading a positive message across the city. He and officials from the Wexner Center For the Arts believe the Art for Action project exemplifies how modern art can speak to the issues and, at the same time, have real world impact.

“Negativity is not going to make things better. I think it's important to us to kind of put our best foot forward and love each other. That's the only thing to really make the world a better place,” says Hernandez.

You can view more of Adam Hernandez's art on his website