Mantua – Holly Michelson saw the work that Broc Benner was doing to transform what some referred to as “the hole” in the heart of Mantua. As he shared his vision of transforming the spot into a green space to connect community in the village, Michelson commented that the red brick wall that bordered the space would be an ideal spot for a mural. Benner chuckled, sharing that his mom, Edie Benner (President of the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation) said the exact same thing.
When Michelson approached Edie Benner, she was encouraged to come up with a design she felt would bring light to both the space and the community. Michelson, of Five Five Photos (fivefivephotos.com), took on the project with aplomb, delving into the history of Mantua. She learned that the village, founded in 1798, was the first village settled in Portage County. This idea is portrayed by the portage on the left side of the mural. Having moved to Mantua when her son was young, she and her family have enjoyed the strong sense of community in their new hometown. Inspired by a family photo shoot, she included a family walking hand-in-hand silhouetted in a vibrantly colored sunset. The figures in the mural portray each of us, with hair, feature and skin tones indistinguishable. Michelson recalled a photo she shot of an adoptive family on a beach silhouetted by a glorious sunset. She noted, “a little bit of light takes away the color.” The story resonates with her, since her own family has been grown by adoption as well, through their daughters Adah and Ayana.
For Michelson, the mural is about more than welcoming visitors to town with pretty painting or checking an item off her bucket list, although it’s accomplishing both. Michelson sees the mural as an opportunity to share hope and unity in a time filled with derision, unrest and division. Mural artist Amanda Wascovich echoes that notion, sharing, “vibrant and colorful, murals make a space feel special, creating a warm and friendly space for the community to gather.” Someone who understands the process behind creating a large-scale mural from a small design, Wascovich is no stranger to the community. She has family in Mantua and has also exhibited at the DMRC’s annual Art on the Hill festival. Wascovich, who has created murals in Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls, and Ravenna, is working to help Michelson’s vision become a larger-than-life reality.
Once the design was approved and the paint was purchased, Wascovich and Michelson enlisted the help of Broc Benner, who helped them operate a lift, borrowed from Hal Stamm, to plot out the design on the wall. They did so with a projector in the dark of night for better visibility. Soon after, the pair got to work adding color. Fueled by encouragement from passersby on the sidewalk or in cars, as well as refreshments from nearby Restoration 44, the colorful image is taking shape. Curious visitors stop by for a closer look or to thank them for their vision; some even lend a hand with a paintbrush or roller.
Michelson explains what she sees as the appeal of the new installation, “Showing that light in the right places blends colors together and highlights what is important to focus on.” She added, “it shows that no matter where you are coming from you can move forward together.” Weather permitting, the mural should be completed within the next week. Another mural is planned for installation on the wall of Restoration 44 coffee shop facing Middlefield Bank this season, as well. The projects are being funded by the DMRC. If you’d like to volunteer, or are interested in making a donation to provide seating or other amenities to the green space, please contact Edie Benner at (330) 697-0957, or via DMRC, P.O. Box 414, Mantua, OH.
