“Commons” Mural Dedication

ArtWorks and the Cincinnati Art Museum invite you to celebrate Cincinnati’s newest landmark mural. Standing three stories tall, it is the very first outdoor mural designed by internationally acclaimed artist Shahzia Sikander.

Titled Commons, the mural was designed by Shahzia Sikander and produced by a team of 20 Youth Apprentices, marking an extraordinary convergence of public and fine art in our city. The Apprentice team had the rare opportunity to translate Sikander’s intricate and thought-provoking artistic vision to a monumental scale, and by showcasing the work of a world renowned artist in Cincinnati’s public landscape, this project underscores the power of art to connect, inspire, and transform communities. This mural represents not just a celebration of cultural exchange and artistic excellence but also a commitment to empowering the next generation of creatives, equipping them with hands-on experience and mentorship as they shape the future of public art.

The celebration will feature inspiring remarks from Shahzia Sikander, Mayor Aftab Pureval, Ainsley M. Cameron, PhD, Curator of South Asian Art, Islamic Art, and Antiquities at the Cincinnati Art Museum, Colleen Houston, CEO and Artistic Director of ArtWorks, and Erika NJ Allen, “Welcome Edition” Project Leader at Wave Pool. Also enjoy live music by Cincinnati Music Accelerator, a dedication poem by WordPlay, art-making activities, and lite bites.