CLEVELAND — A northeast Ohio artist is joining others to use their artistic skills to beautify a Cleveland neighborhood and rid it of visual decay.

A wall located at 1776 E. 40th St. in Cleveland has consumed artist Dayz Whun’s mind for the past week.

“I was shocked to see a wall this huge,” said Whun. “I haven’t been sleeping at all. All I can think about all night is this wall. It’s the only thing on my mind.”

Dayz is one of the artists participating in Cleveland Walls!, a week-long event that has brought in artists from all over the nation. More artists from around the world were expected to come to Cleveland for this event, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic weren't able to attend.

It’s hosted by the international mural arts festival Pow! Wow! Worldwide and made possible in Cleveland through the help of northeast Ohio artists, MidTown Cleveland and LAND studio.

“I'm very honored to be part of Cleveland Walls!,” said Whun. “I'm glad I could be here to represent not only local artists, but minority artists to show that, you know, there's a lot of talent in Cleveland that's waiting to be seen.”

It’s a celebration of art, culture and community. About 20 facades of buildings in total all around Midtown are getting a makeover. 

“There's a lot of abandoned buildings, there's a lot of decay in Cleveland,” said Whun. “And it's time to just, you know, beautify the city, make it look a lot better. Art influences thought processes. Art changes the environment. It gives people a direction of hope.”

Dayz is a Cleveland native and has been painting murals on the streets of Cleveland since he was 13 years old. He’s now a respected artist, and goes above and beyond to mentor youth all while owning his own tattoo shop. Some of his friends and art mentors and mentees helped him lay down the foundation of his mural.

“We came this far already, so to be contacted and reached out to be a part of this, it says that man, you guys have been doing your thing that I've been doing my thing. And to be part of this is like yeah, let's go. You know, what's next?," said Whun. "Me being a part of it is my team being a part of it, too, you know, so we always like, a win for one of us is still win for the whole crew."

He said for a long time, Midtown was beaten down and deprived, and he’s happy to be a part of changing that narrative. 

“So to see it kind of come back and refresh, I think it's a good thing,” said Whun. “The city is our canvas. And the city is the museum right now. So the Midtown area is like a big museum."

He’s excited to be helping turn eyesore buildings into beauty, so people from all over can see Cleveland in a new light. 

“It's just so beautiful to be on a project so dope like this,” said Whun. 

In addition to the 20 public murals that will be created during the event, Cleveland Walls! includes free family-friendly activities, performances and artist talks. For more information visit here.