Pantone of the Cuyahoga River Mural Project
About the Project
The ‘Pantone of the Cuyahoga River’ mural project is an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing the urban landscape of Downtown Cuyahoga Falls through public art. Spearheaded by the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), this large-scale mural will celebrate the colors, textures, and natural beauty of the Cuyahoga River, a vital part of the region’s identity.
The mural will be installed on the east-facing wall of CVAC, a highly visible location along Riverfront Parkway, ensuring it becomes a landmark feature in the heart of the city’s cultural district. The mural’s placement—spanning approximately 31 feet by 16 feet—will allow it to be prominently viewed by thousands of residents and visitors daily, including those traveling on Route 8 and strolling along the newly rejuvenated Riverfront Boardwalk. This multimillion-dollar boardwalk renovation is part of a broader effort to create a more dynamic and engaging downtown space. The mural will add a distinctive artistic element to this transformation, reinforcing Cuyahoga Falls’ mission to make art accessible and engaging for the community.
Why This Project Matters
At CVAC, public art is an extension of our mission to foster an appreciation of visual arts through education, exhibition, and community enrichment. The ‘Pantone of the Cuyahoga River’ mural reflects our core values by:
- Bringing Fine Art into Public Spaces – The mural transforms a utilitarian wall into a vibrant artistic landmark, making fine art accessible to all.
- Celebrating Local Identity – The artwork will highlight the Cuyahoga River’s dynamic colors and textures, honoring its historical and environmental significance to the region.
This project is made possible through generous funding from ArtsNow’s ArtsForward grant. It will not only enhance the visual charm of Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, but also serve as a symbol of local pride, creativity, and cultural enrichment. The mural will be a photo-worthy attraction in Summit County and a lasting addition to the city’s public art portfolio. Installation of the mural is planned for the summer of 2025.
Artist Selection Process
CVAC received an overwhelming response from the artist community, with 21 applications submitted for consideration. The selection committee, comprised of Danielle Dieterich, Executive Director of CVAC; Kayla Billings, Programs Manager of CVAC; Kit Palencar, Exhibitions Manager & Faculty Member of CVAC; and Kayleigh Piper, Executive Director of the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership, carefully reviewed each submission. After an extensive evaluation process, Derek Brennan, a Cleveland-based artist, was selected to lead the project.
About the Artist: Derek Brennan
Derek Brennan is a Cleveland-based muralist and fine artist known for his large-scale public artworks and encaustic paintings. His journey began in 2007 as a theme park caricaturist, leading him to earn a BFA from Bowling Green State University. Since painting his first mural in 2016, Brennan has completed nearly 50 murals, including one of Ohio’s largest public murals, a 728-foot piece for the Elevate the East campaign in Cleveland. His work can also be found at MetroHealth, The Cleveland Museum of Art Community Arts Center, Cleveland Public Auditorium, and throughout Sandusky and Fostoria.
Derek operates a gallery and studio at 78th Street Studios in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood, where he continues to explore his passion for public art. Through his murals, he strives to inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and bring fine art into everyday life.
- Website: www.derek-brennan.com
- Instagram: @derek_t_brennan
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
Join us as we celebrate the unveiling of Pantone of the Cuyahoga River, the vibrant new mural on the east-facing wall of the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center! Artist Derek Brennan will be in attendance as we officially cut the ribbon on this exciting addition to Downtown Cuyahoga Falls’ public art landscape.
Guests are asked to arrive at 4:45 pm, with the ribbon cutting ceremony beginning promptly at 5:00 pm. Following the ceremony, we’ll take a few moments for photos outside with the mural, then head into CVAC’s main gallery for hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The celebration continues with our Juried Exhibition Artist Reception from 5:30–7:00 PM, featuring works from talented artists across the region.
This event is free and open to the public—we can’t wait to share this special moment with you!
Project Timeline
The mural installation is officially underway, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life on the east-facing wall of the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center. With favorable weather so far, the artist remains on track to complete the mural ahead of the Ribbon Cutting on August 22, 2025. This vibrant addition is a major milestone in Cuyahoga Falls’ growing public art portfolio and exemplifies CVAC’s mission to bring fine art into the community in a meaningful and accessible way.
The Pantone of the Cuyahoga River project is made possible through generous funding from ArtsForward, an ArtsNow initiative.
Stay tuned for more updates as the mural takes shape!
Project Site: Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
The mural will be installed on the east-facing plaster wall of the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, covering a flat area of approximately 31’ by 16’. The project will include the flat wall space, door, doorway, window sill, and any protruding architectural features.