Exclusive Experience Brings the Distinctive Work of Iconic Artists Charley & Edie Harper to Life Through Animation, Music and Immersive Storytelling
CINCINNATI, OH – September 8, 2026 – Downtown Cincinnati’s Mercantile Immersive has created Harper Alive, an unparalleled spectacle of animation and music showcasing the story and life’s work of Charley and Edie, which will be unveiled October 8 and available throughout the BLINK 2026 weekend, October 8-11. Created in partnership with the Charley and Edie Harper Foundation and exclusively in alignment with BLINK, Harper Alive uses immersive media, motion, music and storytelling to invite guests inside the distinctive creative world of two of Cincinnati’s most beloved artists.
The experience begins with a series of vignettes exploring Charley and Edie Harper’s artistic partnership, their individual perspectives and the influence they had on one another’s work. From there, guests enter Harper Alive, a six-minute immersive experience that surrounds them with animated interpretations of the Harpers’ familiar imagery set to music. The experience will loop continuously during public hours over the three-day event, allowing guests to enter at any point and experience the full visual journey. Cincinnati-based Lightborne, the world-renowned animation and production studio who creates mesmerizing productions for powerhouse entertainers at the Las Vegas Sphere, in combination with DelightMore’s award-winning hospitality and event services, created Harper Alive to be an experience unlike any other.
“Charley and Edie Harper have such a special connection to Cincinnati, and their iconic work lends itself to the kind of immersive storytelling we can create at Mercantile Immersive,” said Jerin Dunham, Chief Operating Officer, DelightMore. “Harper Alive will be an entirely new way to experience their art – not just by viewing the Harpers’ work, but by becoming immersed in it. BLINK is the perfect opportunity to introduce this larger-than-life visual experience and give the community a glimpse of what we’re developing for 2027.” Harper Alive will serve as a preview of a larger Charley and Edie Harper immersive experience planned to launch at Mercantile Immersive in March 2027.
The Harper Alive activation joins the wide range of experiences that will transform Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky during BLINK, the biennial celebration of public art and light returning October 8–11. Launched in 2017, BLINK transforms the region’s urban core with large-scale projection mapping, interactive light installations, murals and other creative activations by local, national and international artists.
“BLINK is about new and unexpected ways to experience art, our city and our community’s boundless creativity,” said Leslie Mooney, Executive Director of BLINK. “Harper Alive brings together the work of two artists with deep Cincinnati roots and offers the kind of innovative, immersive experience that complements the spirit of BLINK. We’re excited for BLINK visitors to discover it as they explore the art, light and creativity happening throughout our city over BLINK weekend,” Mooney, continued.
Harper Alive will be open to the public at Mercantile Immersive, 120 E. Fourth Street, Downtown Cincinnati, during BLINK weekend:
– Friday, October 9 – 7:00-11:00 p.m.
– Saturday, October 10 – 1:00-8:00 p.m.
– Saturday, October 10 – 9:00-11:30 p.m. – Separate ticketed after-party featuring a DJ, with drinks and snacks available for purchase
– Sunday, October 11 – 3:00-11:00 p.m.
Admission to Harper Alive during regular public hours is free, but reservations are required. A cash bar and limited food options will be available for purchase. The Saturday evening after-party is a separate, paid ticketed event. Tickets can be reserved t https://mercantileimmersive.com/harper-alive/. Harper Alive is made possible with support from Stock Yards Bank, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Montgomery Inn and the Thomas R. Schiff Foundation.
Located in Cincinnati’s historic Mercantile Building, Mercantile Immersive is the city’s first and only immersive entertainment destination that brings cinematic experiences to every occasion. Operated by DelightMore, a catering and events company with over 70 years of experience, Mercantile Immersive continues to advance its technology to make every experience more dynamic, connected and immersive. It features 256 million pixels across floor-to-ceiling LED displays and a multi-zoned immersive sound system. The company has made a capital investment in state-of-the-art virtual production and immersive technology that will further enable delivery of dynamic live visuals and a more cohesive, connected storytelling experience from beginning to end.
About The Mercantile Immersive
Mercantile Immersive, owned & operated by DelightMore, a full-service catering and events company with over 70 years of experience, is Cincinnati’s first and only 360-degree multi-sensory immersive entertainment destination. Located in the historic Mercantile Building in downtown Cincinnati, the space features floor-to-ceiling LED displays, immersive visual content, spatial audio, dynamic lighting and fully integrated event services for weddings, corporate events, meetings, fundraisers and private celebrations. Visit MercantileImmersive.com for more details.
