Arts. People. Empowerment.

The Mural:

 At 217 Coxe Avenue, you will find three works of art. On the front building facade is “Arts. People. Empowerment” a collaborative mural between renowned painter Ian Wilkinson and the artists and staff of Open Hearts Art Center. Brit Davis Klepac, a photographer and art instructor, began the process by leading a program with Open Hearts artists to create wearable avant-garde fashions. The artists were then photographed wearing their whimsical creations. From the photographs, muralist Ian Wilkinson, with help from Open Heart’s artists, painted these images in the studio to later be installed as murals on the building’s exterior. Open Hearts says, "We wanted to use imagery that spoke to who we are as an organization, as well as being bold and impactful to attract visitors into our community and gallery."  

Artist: Ian Wilkinson 

Ian Wilkinson is a painter and nationally recognized muralist with works in the national mural registry. Through his work, Ian recognizes the power and obligation of the artist’s platform to do good, empower people and create change. For Ian, working in the public realm is a tool, a way of telling a story, of communicating, of giving a voice to the voiceless. With this he welcomes the potential to provoke, to challenge, but ultimately to enrich the viewer. Finding value in creating work that maintains its relevance, Ian’s work embodies the universal principles of truth, connection and our basic humanity.

For more about Ian Wilkinson:  www.ianthepainter.com 

Instagram: @ianthepainter