“Creative placemaking is about shaping places that reflect who we are and where we’re going,” said Rachael Parker, director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking at ArtsWave. “Projects like this build on the momentum in Northern Kentucky, using art to strengthen identity, activate public space and create a sense of belonging.”
ArtsWave and its ArtsWave Pride donor affinity group dedicated “Every Day of Living Is a Gift,” the group’s first commissioned mural last. week . at Madison Design in Covington.
The mural is dedicated to Terry Noel, whose career as a performer in the 1950s and 1960s is part of the LGBTQIA+ history the project recognizes. The commission is also part of ArtsWave’s broader creative placemaking work in Northern Kentucky, supporting projects that strengthen community identity, activate public spaces and contribute to neighborhood vitality.
Commissioned as ArtsWave Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary, the mural expands the group’s support for arts programs and experiences into public art. ArtsWave Pride brings together LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies to support the region’s arts. The new work gives that commitment a permanent presence in Covington’s landscape.
“At Madison, we strongly believe in artists and creative expression,” said Jackie Roberto, partner at Madison Design. “We’re excited to be a part of Covington’s commitment to public art and placemaking.”
ArtsWave fuels the Cincinnati region’s arts, supporting 150+ organizations, projects and artists each year. Since 1927, it has been the primary way the region funds the arts, raising millions annually from tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and foundations to drive a more vibrant economy and connected community. Through the Blueprint for Collective Action, ArtsWave strategically makes investments that maximize the arts’ impact across the region.
