Downtown North Baltimore is joining the art world in a BIG way! Nationally known artist, Stephen Muldoon, currently from Florida (but a native Buckeye) will be painting a historical mural on the entire south wall at 113 North Main Street.

According to local attorney George Thompson, who is spearheading the effort for this 150 feet wide by about 30 foot tall mural, said that, "Initially, the concept was to create an old steam train, but the artist wishes to create additional "vignettes" of North Baltimore Area history."

Muldoon will be visiting his home in Cleveland this coming weekend (May 18 - 20), which will allow him to be here in North Baltimore to do interviews with various media and to explore our history for new ideas. Thompson hopes that visits to the North Baltimore Area Historical Center and the Wood County Historical Society will provide additional inspiration for Muldoon to capture the historical essence of the SouthWood Area.

Thompson said that all are invited to Downtown NB on Saturday, May 19, to welcome Muldoon to town, as he will be appearing at the Whistle Stop Inn from 5:00 pm to ?? for a "Meet the Artist Party" at which time he will be drawing concepts for the mural.

The mural across from the "Whistle Stop" will be part of the planned parking area and Green Space which will occupy the vacant ground hard against the CSX Mainline and owned by John Fronk, owner of the Whistle Stop Inn. Thompson says that this is an important step in the revitalization of our community, which will draw thousands of people to North Baltimore, OH in the future.

There will be a fun-raising effort for material, equipment and expenses involved in such an undertaking. Thompson is working with the NB Area Chamber of Commerce towards raising $20,000 for the project. But adds that he hopes to raise much more, for making the parking areas and green spaces as environmentally pleasing as possible.

Muldoon works with the Wyland Gallery, which is based in Florida. The gallery has graciously agreed that Muldoon could come to Northwest Ohio for this project. According to Thompson, it is somewhat unusual for a major gallery to make such accommodations, as it is a sacrifice for any gallery to allow a major artist, such as Muldoon to do "side-jobs" as it were.

Visit Muldoon's website here: www.muldoonart.com

Visit the Wyland Gallery website here: www.wylandgalleries.com

A couple of examples of Steve Muldoon's work...








Steve Muldoon at work