PHOTO COURTESY OF GLASS CITY RIVER WALL
On October 15, 2022, Toledo, Ohio celebrated the completion of its Glass City River Wall (GCRW) mural, located at the ADM grain facility on the East Bank of the Maumee River and serving as a visual gateway to the city. Urban Sight, in partnership with ADM and Tnemec Company, Inc., announced the completion of the mural, created across 28 silos measuring around 170,000 square feet in total, making it the largest in the U.S. and visible from Interstate 75, the Maumee River and downtown Toledo.
“It’s beyond exciting to announce the completion of the Glass City River Wall,” says Christina Kasper, president of Urban Sight, Inc. and GCRW project manager, and Nicole LeBoutillier, GCRW operations manager. “The path to get here has been a truly transformative journey! It went from the idea of a couple friends, while boating down the Maumee River, to creating an art installation to beautify our city to a community-wide movement that has brought so many people and organizations together around a common goal.”
Designed by artist Gabe Gault and completed with the help of local artists and muralist Eric Henn, the mural depicts a swath of sunflowers and three portraits portraying a Native American elder, mother and child, honoring the indigenous peoples of the area and the significance of agriculture to the region.
“Together, we have made history with the largest mural in the country, underscoring Toledo’s reputation as a community dedicated to the arts, and igniting conversations around hope, positivity and inclusion that will carry us forward into the future,” says Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
“We are proud to see the Glass City River Wall project come to life and serve as a strong representation of our thriving community and city’s vibrant spirit,” adds Jason Boyer, superintendent of ADM Toledo facility. “Through ADM and ADM Cares, we work to sustain and strengthen the communities where our colleagues work and live by driving meaningful change and supporting projects such as this. We are thrilled to support Toledo through this partnership, which will make larger-than-life art a focal point of Glass City.”
Phase two of Glass City River Wall will focus on continuing education opportunities for people of all ages. To learn more, visit glasscityriverwall.org.
