Pantone of the Cuyahoga River Mural Project
Introduction to the Project
For many years, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC) has envisioned ways to extend creativity beyond our gallery walls and into the surrounding community. While our exhibitions and classrooms have long served as a hub for practicing artists, we have always believed that art should also live in the public landscape, accessible to everyone, every day. The east-facing exterior wall of our building presented a unique opportunity to bring that vision to life.
Highly visible from both State Route 8 and Portage Trail, this wall overlooks a vibrant and growing area of downtown Cuyahoga Falls. With more than 80,000 vehicles passing by daily, the location offers a powerful platform for public art—one that can inspire residents, visitors, and commuters alike. Transforming this space into a large-scale mural allows art to reach far beyond the doors of CVAC.
In 2024, CVAC applied for support through the ArtsForward grant program administered by ArtsNow, a regional initiative that invests in creative projects that strengthen our community. We were honored to receive $25,000 in funding to help launch this ambitious public art project. This grant allowed us to take the first steps toward transforming the wall into a landmark piece of public artwork.
With funding secured, the next step was identifying the right artist to bring this vision to life. In December 2024, CVAC launched a formal selection process inviting artists to submit their qualifications and ideas for the project. This process brought forward a range of talented artists and teams eager to contribute to the story of the Cuyahoga River and the surrounding community.
Artist Selection Process
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center issued a Call for Qualifications (CFQ) in December 2024, inviting artists to submit materials for consideration. The opportunity was shared widely throughout the regional arts community to reach experienced muralists and public artists interested in contributing to this highly visible project.
CVAC received an overwhelming response from the practicing artist community, with 21 applications submitted for consideration. A selection committee representing both the art center and the broader community carefully reviewed each submission, evaluating artistic merit, experience with large-scale murals, and the artist’s ability to create a work that would reflect the spirit of the Cuyahoga River and the surrounding community.
After an extensive review process, the committee selected Cleveland-based artist Derek Brennan to lead the project. His thoughtful artistic vision and experience in creating dynamic public artwork made him an ideal partner to bring this landmark mural to life.
About the Artist: Derek Brennan
In March 2025, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center announced that Cleveland-based artist Derek Brennan had been selected to create the mural Pantone of the Cuyahoga River. Brennan was chosen for his distinctive painterly style, dynamic sense of movement, and his ability to incorporate layered visual details that reward close observation.
Brennan’s work is known for blending bold color, expressive brushwork, and storytelling. His murals often contain subtle elements that reveal themselves over time—small details, hidden imagery, and moments of discovery that invite viewers to engage more deeply with the artwork. This balance of large-scale visual impact and intimate detail made his artistic approach especially well suited for the highly visible exterior wall at CVAC.
In developing the concept for the mural, Brennan drew inspiration from the natural rhythms, colors, and wildlife of the Cuyahoga River. His creative process focuses on translating the environment and spirit of a place into visual language—capturing both the movement of water and the life that surrounds it.
Equally important to Brennan’s practice is community engagement. Rather than creating a mural in isolation, he works to involve the community throughout the process, inviting conversation, feedback, and creative participation along the way. Through artist talks, student workshops, and public events, Brennan ensured that the mural would reflect not only his artistic vision but also the voices of the community it represents.
- Website: www.derek-brennan.com
- Instagram: @derek_t_brennan
Preparing the Wall
Before painting could begin, the exterior wall required careful preparation to ensure it would provide a strong and lasting surface for the mural. This work was led by CVAC Executive Director Danielle Dieterich, alongside her father, Ward Dieterich, whose time and expertise helped make the project possible. Together, they completed the extensive cleaning, surface preparation, and repair work necessary to ready the wall for the artist’s installation.
Additional support came from Air Comfort, who assisted by replacing the HVAC vents located along the wall. By completing much of the preparation work in-house and with the help of community partners, CVAC was able to direct more of the ArtsForward grant funding toward supporting the artist and the creation of the mural itself. This collaborative effort reflects the spirit of community partnership that has guided the project from the beginning.
Check out the progression of the mural below!
Pantone of the Cuyahoga River – Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Event: Pantone of the Cuyahoga River – Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Date/Time: Friday, August 22, 2025 | 4:45 PM
Location: Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
The completion of the Pantone of the Cuyahoga River mural was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting that brought hundreds of community members together to mark the unveiling of Cuyahoga Valley Art Center’s newest public artwork. Residents, artists, board members, and supporters gathered outside CVAC to witness the mural officially become part of the public landscape of Cuyahoga Falls. In a memorable moment, Derek Brennan’s daughter had the honor of cutting the ribbon, symbolizing both the completion of the mural and the community spirit that helped bring the project to life.
The celebration welcomed many leaders and partners from across the community. Mayor Don Walters, city elected officials, and members of the city staff joined the festivities, along with Cuyahoga Falls Library Executive Director Alex Gedeon and members of the library staff. Their presence highlighted the strong partnerships that support arts and culture throughout the city. Community supporters from across the region also came out to celebrate the mural and the collaborative effort behind its creation.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to stay and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and time with the artist. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with Derek Brennan about his creative process and the inspiration behind the mural. Visitors also participated in a hands-on printmaking activity featuring the mural’s beloved river creatures, allowing community members of all ages to create their own artistic keepsake from this special day.
Cultural Impact of Public Art
Public art has the power to transform shared spaces, spark curiosity, and strengthen a community’s connection to place. Projects like Pantone of the Cuyahoga River reflect Cuyahoga Valley Art Center’s commitment to making art accessible beyond the walls of our galleries and classrooms—bringing creativity directly into the everyday lives of residents and visitors alike.
In 2025, CVAC generated an estimated $305,700 in direct cultural value through free exhibitions, subsidized classes, scholarships, public art initiatives, and community partnerships. When including the visibility and outreach impact of projects like this mural, the organization’s total community impact reached approximately $405,700. With an annual operating budget of just under $290,000, this represents $1.45 in direct cultural value for every $1 invested in CVAC.
National research further reinforces the importance of arts organizations in community development. According to Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, nonprofit arts organizations typically generate an additional 2:1 return in indirect economic and social benefits through increased local spending, tourism, and improved community wellbeing. When applying this nationally recognized model, CVAC’s broader community impact reaches nearly $2.86 in value for every dollar invested, demonstrating how grassroots arts organizations help strengthen the cultural and economic fabric of Summit County.
Today, Pantone of the Cuyahoga River stands as a vibrant reflection of the natural beauty, creativity, and collaborative spirit that define the Cuyahoga Falls community.
This project would not have been possible without the generous support of ArtsNow and the ArtsForward selection committee. Their commitment to strengthening arts and culture in our region helped bring this vibrant new landmark to life.
Mural Site: Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
The mural is installed on the east-facing plaster wall of the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, covering a flat area of approximately 31’ by 16’. The project included the flat wall space, door, doorway, window sill, and all protruding architectural features.
To Learn More About The Full Project, Click This Link: CVAC Mural Booklet