From Blank Wall to Community Landmark: The Story Behind the “Pantone of the Cuyahoga River” Mural

By Danielle M. Dieterich, M.A., Executive Director, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center: A Public Art Project Report

We had long viewed the back of our building as a blank canvas, one that had potential but had been overlooked and was in need of some love. Growing up alongside my father, a general contractor, I understood both the challenges and the cost of repairing a wall like this. Even so, I knew the potential for a mural was worth exploring.

As one of only two entrances to the building, we knew that the wall was seen by students every day. What we did not fully realize was how visible it was beyond that. My father and I spent time studying the site together, driving around to understand sightlines from State Route 8 and Portage Trail. Through that process, we discovered that more than 80,000 cars pass by the back of our building daily. It became clear that this wall held a much bigger opportunity than we had originally realized.

With that level of visibility, we wanted to be thoughtful about what would live there. We set out to create something that could be experienced both from a distance and up close, while still feeling meaningful to our community. That led us to the Cuyahoga River theme, something that plays a vital role in our region but is not part of most people’s daily view. From that idea, the concept for the ‘Pantone of the Cuyahoga River’ began to take shape.

To begin bringing the project to life, I applied for an ArtsForward grant through ArtsNow.  Learning that we received $25,000 in support from the ArtsForward grant to make this work possible was an out-of-body experience. For an organization of our size, that level of investment is significant, allowing us to take on a community project that would otherwise be out of reach.

The project began with an open call for qualifications, which brought in 21 applicants from across Ohio. A selection panel made up of representatives from CVAC and the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership reviewed submissions using a structured rubric and narrowed the pool to two finalists. From there, the committee selected Cleveland-based mural artist Derek Brennan. His painterly style stood out to us, and we knew his style would translate the river’s shifting tones, textures, and ecosystem into something both visually compelling and deeply rooted in place.

Community engagement was also intentionally built into the process. This included connecting with local high school art students, hosting artist talks, and inviting the public to participate in naming elements within the mural. These moments helped transform the project from a single installation into a shared community experience.

From that point forward, the process required trust. When you work with artists, you have to create space for them to do what they do best. The final result well exceeded our expectations, because we allowed it to evolve through the artist’s vision.

We also approached this project with long-term stewardship in mind. This was not just about installation; it was about sustainability. In partnership with the artist, we established a 10-year maintenance plan to ensure the mural is assessed annually and maintained over time. Public art should not only make an immediate impact, it should also endure.

While the mural itself measures 31 by 16 feet, its impact extends far beyond its physical scale, reaching thousands of people each day. To put that visibility into perspective, advertising space with that level of exposure would cost upwards of $100,000 annually. By CVAC choosing to dedicate that level of visibility to public art is an intentional investment back into our community.

At its core, this project reflects a larger belief. Art should not be contained. It should exist both inside and outside our walls, fully integrated into the daily life of our community. Cuyahoga Falls recognized this through the adoption of its Public Art Master Plan in 2019, and through my role on the city’s Public Arts Board, I have seen how important it is to have thoughtful, community-driven approaches to public spaces.

Projects like this contribute to something larger. Through initiatives like the Pantone of the Cuyahoga River mural, alongside ongoing programming, CVAC continues to generate meaningful cultural impact and reinforce the role of the arts as essential to a thriving and connected community.

This mural represents what can happen when vision, partnership, and community alignment come together. And it is just the beginning of what is to come for Cuyahoga Falls.

PDF Booklet Link:  https://www.cvart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mural-Booklet-1.pdf