International Students | Photo by Rose Taylor | The Wright State Guardian
Over the entire month of October, three different murals have been painted across the Dayton area in an effort to support causes and enhance the beauty of the Dayton area.
Suicide prevention mural
Oct. 19, the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition unveiled the fourth inspiring mural in its suicide prevention series.
The group aims to prevent issues like drug and alcohol abuse with one of their major efforts focusing on mental health education and suicide prevention.
The Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is a Montgomery County organization that provides resources and advocates for mental health and addiction.
Brittni Long, the senior program director for ADAMHS and a volunteer for the project, explained that they chose the mural locations based on statistics.
“We were very intentional in identifying neighborhoods with higher suicide rates and attempts. This is our way of going into the community and leaving a permanent message of hope [and] real-time access to resources,” Long explained.
Patriot Murals
The City of Dayton also showed off two brand new murals. They were a partnership between the Dayton Enhancement Committee and the Dayton Economic Development Coalition. The theme for these two murals is patriotism and heritage.
One mural pays tribute to our troops and the freedoms they fought for, while the other pays tribute to Dayton’s history with the railroad.
The artist selected for this project was Michael Criswell, who is based out of Texas. In a phone interview, he explained how he enjoyed working with the city of Dayton on this project.
“I always enjoy things like this,” Criswell explained. “I found it beneficial to travel to Dayton and really soak in what Dayton is about before I started. The City of Dayton and the Dayton Enhancement Committee were amazing to work with. They had their vision, but they really let me explore with what I was given.”
In a statement to The Wright State Guardian, a Spokesperson for the Dayton Enhancement Committee explained that they wanted to show off the culture of the City of Dayton.
"We aimed to highlight key aspects that matter to the Dayton community. Our selections were made to illuminate the priorities and values that are significant to us as residents of Dayton,” the Spokesperson said.
Community Engagement Through Art
Murals can bring people together, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Often murals involve local residents in the planning and creation process, promoting teamwork and inclusivity.
Murals also can positively influence local economies by attracting visitors and potential businesses, enhancing a neighborhood's appeal and leading to increased foot traffic and investment.
“Our own research confirmed that the 40—50 murals alone on Lincoln Blvd drove up the street's average business revenue by 5 —10%, with some businesses receiving up to 50% increase,” Evan Meyer, the co-founder and CEO of the mural art exchange platform called Beautify, said in an interview.
Overall, murals play a vital role in shaping communities by fostering cultural expression, addressing social issues, beautifying spaces, and engaging residents. They serve as powerful symbols of community identity and resilience, enriching the lives of those who interact with them.
