Corporex, the Covington-based real estate investment firm behind the $1 billion Ovation project in Newport, is partnering with ArtWorks on two large murals set to debut at the development’s soon-to-be-open Homewood Suites Hotel.
Both murals are set to be completed by early summer and bring to life the concept of CASA, or Color, Art, Sound and Architecture.
“From Ovation’s conception, it was always very important to establish a concept that breathes life into this community by creating a crescendo of senses through light, colors, sounds and aromas,” Corporex Chairman Bill Butler said in a press release. “This idea of CASA brings life and energy into the development by filling it with public art, music and architecture for everyone in the community to enjoy. Our partnership with ArtWorks is one of the first steps in making this concept a reality and turning Ovation into an experience and destination.”
The first mural, “Sunrise,” was designed by Adrienne Dixon, a multidisciplinary artist, art educator and arts administrator. Dixon currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and as a Creative Projects Manager at ArtWorks Cincinnati. Dixon’s mural will be positioned at the eastern end of the hotel, facing the MegaCorp Pavilion.
“I have spent a considerable amount of my life in Kentucky and have been considering all of the things I love about the state in the design process,” Dixon said in the release. “The variety of land is awe-inspiring – from blue grass fields to powerful mountains and entrancing waterways. I love the agricultural legacy that lives in this state, the history of food, and there are some of the best storytellers to live captured within the oral history archives in Frankfort. Kentucky has a richness that I hope to capture in this design.”
The second mural, “I Wrap Myself in Starlight,” was created by Emily Howard. She has served as an art teacher in several schools across Northern Kentucky and has participated in various roles in the ArtWorks summer mural program. Her mural will be situated on Third Street on the west end of the building, overlooking Ovation Office Building I and the Ohio Riverfront.
“Sunrise” and “I Wrap Myself in Starlight” will be completed by the Mural Studio Artists at ArtWorks. Mural Studio Artists are from ages 18 to 24 years old and work under the guidance and supervision of professional artists.
The artists onsite executing the two murals include:
- Allison Boyle, 21, Art Academy of Cincinnati, OTR.
- Hannah Feibelman, 23, West Price Hill.
- Peyton Harshfield, 24, Dayton, Ky.
- Kendall Matsey, 23, University of Cincinnati DAAP, Cheviot.
- Jay Maupins, 22, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Clifton.
- Harvest Riddle, 23, Northside.
- Simon Schubert, 19, University of Cincinnati DAAP, Corryville.
- Trinity Stewart, 21, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Fairfield.
- Ellie Wallace, 23, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Camp Washington.
The painting of both murals began on April 19. Two additional murals are coming to Ovation in 2024 through a direct partnership between Corporex and a locally-based artist, which will be located on The Boardwalk Residences.