Photographed by: Jason Garrison
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
There's a new mural in Camp Washington that's been stirring up some controversy.
Artworks created the piece located at the corner of Hopple Street and Colerain Avenue.
It was chosen out of four designs by a community council and has been getting mixed reviews.
"It's campy, a great little play on words," said Becca Birckhead. "I think it's just a lot of fun – it's art. And it's very creative."
"When I first saw it I didn't think much of it, but then I don't think much of it now," said Gene McFarland. "I've been living in this community for 48 years and this is about the sorriest piece of scum I've ever seen come down the road."
"One of the programs we do, which is all based on job training and employment of teenagers and artists in the city, called 'Artworks,' and it's a mural works project – and we painted 17 murals around the city," said Tamara Harkavy, director of Artworks.
"The artist, Scott Donaldson, presented four different designs and from there the group voted unanimously to select this design," said Harkavy.
"I think they should act very quickly in getting this covered up and put a mural up there that would associate something of interest to this community," said Gene McFarland.
"Some of the elements depicted represent businesses and the history of the community," explained Harkavy. "The cow, that beautiful cow, is the cow that was lost and roaming through, that left the stockyard," said Harkavy. "And the pigs represent the meatpacking industry, and of course that's a nod to Cincinnati in general and our rich history."
"Schenz's Costume Design is obviously a reference with the gown and the gorilla," said Harkavy. "And the name 'Camp Washington,' with the face of George Washington – and Jacob's Manufacturing with the robot."
"It's neat," said Becca Birckhead. "It's art and that's what art is supposed to do. It's to inspire you to start a new conversation and get creative things going."
It took nine months of planning to put up the mural, how long it will last is still unknown.
But Artworks is open for public discussion about it.
They say that's the main reason why it was created.
