The Mandala Mural Dedication event took place on Friday, July 26. Sydney Fine from ArtWorks kicked off the event with a warm welcome and event introduction. Expressing gratitude, Sydney sought to celebrate the “Lotus Mandala” mural, designed by Walnut Hills resident and Visual and Community Artist ME 🙂

The mural was brought to life by artists Ryan Little and Derek Toebbe, along with 8 seasonal apprentices and two teaching artists in 2024. Sydney also acknowledged the crucial contribution of Wesley Ericson, who worked with ArtWorks last year.

Deep appreciation for the support of partners like Model Group, Esoteric Brewery, and Pones, all of whom played significant roles in the success of the mural.

The “Lotus Mandala” mural, located at Historic Peebles Corner, serves as a welcoming landmark for both locals and visitors, symbolizing beauty, resilience, and unity. Sydney noted that the mural’s creation began in the fall of 2023, coinciding with ArtWorks’ new focus on celebrating diverse cultures through intentional community partnerships and programmatic design.

The completion of this mural is a milestone in ArtWorks’ mission to democratize art and foster inclusivity within Cincinnati’s artistic landscape, following the success of other cultural murals like the “Love Wins” mural and the Azucar Cuban Cultural Mural in OTR. The dedication concluded with Sydney inviting Radha Lakshmi to speak, followed by a performance introduced by Kim Popa from Pones, and a Q&A session with the dancers. Photo Credits Joe Simon for images below.