Bicentennial Mural Project starts in downtown Elyria

Six brick buildings in downtown Elyria will get a fresh coat of paint in the near future as the Elyria Arts Council has begun its Downtown Elyria Bicentennial Mural Project.

Plans to create the six murals, which will depict historic Elyria storefronts and other scenes, were approved unanimously at a recent Elyria Planning Commission meeting. Waivers were needed in order to paint on the naked brick walls.

Dave Pavlak, a member of the Arts Council and coordinator of the mural project, presented the plans July 19 and said “excited” was an understatement for how thrilled the group was to put the project into motion. Pavlak said plans for the murals have been in the works for about a year and the first day of painting occurred July 26.

Five of the buildings that will have one wall painted are on Broad Street, including 316, 322, 336, 419 and 501. The sixth building that will be painted is 11 Kerstetter Way.

Two of the murals will be on either side Pioneer Plaza, which is located between 322 and 336 Broad St. The Elyria Arts Council is housed at 336 Broad St.

Mayor Holly Brinda said the plaza is going to be transformed into an openair market that will be available to the public yearround. The project also is part of the bicentennial celebration planning. Brinda said the market will feature food, a farmers’ market, art and culture.

“It’s going to be very cool,” she said, noting the murals are an important part of the celebration. “This particular initiative, we believe, will be transformative to the downtown.

“It will be, not only a reason for Elyria residents to come downtown and learn a little bit about our history, but also we believe it can be a tourist attraction and a point of pride.”

Phase one of the Pioneer Plaza renovations will be complete this summer, and phase two will be complete next summer.

Brinda said phase one includes the addition of an archway, brick planters, benches and walkways, among other amenities. Phase two includes the construction of the open-air market building.

As far as the painting of the murals, Pavlak said he hopes to get as much done as he can before the cold weather sets in. He said at least half a dozen artists are working together to create the murals.

“The more artists the better,” Pavlak said, adding that the group could paint more than one at a time.

Pavlak has prior experience in painting murals. He created the murals on the side of Olde Town Pizza House,195 Cleveland Ave. in Amherst, 25 years ago.

The bicentennial mural project was made possible through a series of grants, Brinda said. Two grants came from the Lorain County Solid Waste District and one from the Nordson Corporation Foundation.

Pavlak said Sherwin Williams, 604 Tillotson St. in Elyria, donated 60 gallons of paint for the project, as well as their expertise. A primer, protective coat and an antigraffiti are being used to ensure the murals last for generations to enjoy.

Clint Rohrbacher, a member of the Elyria Arts Council Board of Directors, said it’s hard to believe the group has come this far after joining together just 18 months ago.

“It’s a labor of love,” Rohrbacher said. “This is going to go a long way in changing the perception of Elyria. Being a part of something this large is definitely exciting.”