Hamilton's StreetSpark announces winning designs for 2023
After much anticipation, winning designs for Hamilton's popular StreetSpark have been announced for the 2023 edition of the city's popular public arts program.
Anissa Pulcheon and Madeline Tipton designed murals for walls at the Hamilton Lane Library and Bartels Heating and Cooling, respectively. Pulcheon begins work on her mural May 30; Jennifer Eickelberger leads the painting on Tipton’s design, which begins June 19, according to StreetSpark Manager, Jennifer Acus-Smith.
“Each of the designers highlighted something endearing about the particular area,” she said, when the winning murals were announced. “I believe they will resonate as universally appealing designs, as well as sources of neighborhood pride.”
5 things to know about StreetSpark
StreetSpark was founded as a partnership between the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Community Foundation and Fitton Center in 2016.
Jennifer Acus-Smith serves as StreetSpark program manager.
Since its inception, StreetSpark artists have designed and painted 17 building murals and 14 utility boxes in a variety of styles all through Hamilton.
StreetSpark formed a partnership with the Butler County Regional Transit Authority and designed original wraps. for three BCRTA buses serving the region, dedicated Feb. 10 of this year.
Work on the new 2023 StreetSpark murals begins in late May.
Pulcheon is an artist, organizer and musician from Cincinnati. Her design for the library – Stream of Conciousness - makes the Great Miami River a living character, a young girl with flowing water as hair and a large book open in her hands. Tipton runs The Tipton Creative, LLC, specializing in brand design, custom murals and sign painting. She created Bartels’ Butterflies with an eye toward change and inclusion.
In addition to the wall murals, artists Kiera Fisher, Michelle Furr and Sarah Hynfield will give a trio of utility boxes the StreetSpark touch
Fisher, a Hamilton High School student, plans to turn back time on the corner of MLK and Hanover in the Riverview neighborhood.
Furr, a multidisciplinary artist and teacher, made her design for the box at the corner of Hooven and Pleasant in Lindenwald a family affair. She will paint the site with her husband and two children.
Hynfield, a Miami University student graduating this year with a BFA in community art, drew on the nearby Great Miami River for her inspiration.
“These designs really showcase the best of what we want StreetSpark to be,” said Fitton Center Executive Director Ian MacKenzie-Thurley. “All five of these artists were incredibly thoughtful in their submissions. They really connected to specific elements of Hamilton and to each of the selected neighborhoods in the city."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Premier arts program in Hamilton selects winning 2023 designs
