Trains (mural)

Last updated
Trains
Year1989 (1989)
ConditionHidden from view
Location630 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio
Coordinates 39°58′31″N83°00′11″W / 39.97526°N 83.00292°W / 39.97526; -83.00292

Trains is a two-story tall mural in the Short North and Italian Village neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. The mural was painted by Gregory and Jeff Ackers facing a parking lot in the commercial district. The work has been lost or hidden from view since about 2014, when a hotel was built on the parking lot site.

Contents

History

Created by Jeff and Gregory Ackers in 1989, it covers the south wall of Bernard's Tavern and depicts passengers (some who are British royalty) on a train arriving in Columbus' Union Station. The work was painted at the behest of the organization Citizens for a Better Skyline. [1]

It was across a parking lot of another Ackers-created mural, Union Station. [2] Greg Ackers restored both works in 1998. [1]

The mural was considered to be in good shape in 2012. [3] Around 2014, the hotel Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph was built on the space that served as a parking lot and both murals can no longer be seen. [4] Also lost during the project was a mural, Cliff Dwellers, based on the George Bellows painting. [5]

Artist Gregory Ackers responded to the planned development eliminating his work in 2012: "The way I see it, some things in life are permanent and some things are temporary. Acceptance is a hard thing, but I accept it." [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Short North</span> Neighborhood in Franklin, Ohio, United States

The Short North is a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, United States, centered on the main strip of High Street immediately north of the Arena District and extending until just south of the University District and Ohio State University. It is an easy walk from the convention center or Nationwide Arena district to the south, Spanning the length of High Street from the north side of Goodale Street to the south side of 7th/King Avenue. It is flanked by Victorian Village to the west and Italian Village to the East. The Short North is a densely-populated commercial and residential district, with especially high pedestrian use during its monthly "Gallery Hop" and other local and downtown events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Union Terminal</span> Train station in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati Union Terminal is an intercity train station and museum center in the Queensgate neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. Commonly abbreviated as CUT, or by its Amtrak station code, CIN, the terminal is served by Amtrak's Cardinal line, passing through Cincinnati three times weekly. The building's largest tenant is the Cincinnati Museum Center, comprising the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, and an Omnimax theater.

The two-day bicycle Tour of the Scioto River Valley is better known by its acronym, TOSRV. It began as a father-and-son outing in 1962 before quickly growing into the nation's largest bicycle touring weekend. It is non-competitive and has been traditionally held annually on Mother's Day weekend with the exception of its early years and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springfield station (Illinois)</span> Train station in Springfield, Illinois, U.S.

Springfield station is a brick railroad depot in Springfield, Illinois, the state capital. It is at mile 185 on Amtrak's Illinois and Missouri Route. As of 2007, it is served by five daily round trips each way: the daily Texas Eagle, and four daily Lincoln Service frequencies. It will be replaced by the Springfield-Sangamon Transportation Center, which is currently under construction, and expected to open in 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Columbus Convention Center</span> Convention center in Columbus, Ohio

The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) is a convention center located in Downtown Columbus, Ohio, United States, along the east side of North High Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican muralism</span> 20th-century art movement

Mexican muralism refers to the art project initially funded by the Mexican government in the immediate wake of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) to depict visions of Mexico's past, present, and future, transforming the walls of many public buildings into didactic scenes designed to reshape Mexicans' understanding of the nation's history. The murals, large artworks painted onto the walls themselves had social, political, and historical messages. Beginning in the 1920s, the muralist project was headed by a group of artists known as "The Big Three" or "The Three Greats". This group was composed of Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Although not as prominent as the Big Three, women also created murals in Mexico. From the 1920s to the 1970s, murals with nationalistic, social and political messages were created in many public settings such as chapels, schools, government buildings, and much more. The popularity of the Mexican muralist project started a tradition which continues to this day in Mexico; a tradition that has had a significant impact in other parts of the Americas, including the United States, where it served as inspiration for the Chicano art movement.

William Walker was a notable muralist from Chicago. He was one of the founders of the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) and one of the leaders in the project involving the Wall of Respect. He was also one of the critical founders of the mural movements in Chicago during the 1960s. He has cited Jacob Lawrence, Charles White, and Chicago painter William McBride, as well as the work of Mexican muralists Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Jose Clemente Orozco as important influences.

Herb Roe is a painter of large-scale outdoor murals and classical realist oil paintings. After attending the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio for a short time, he apprenticed to mural artist Robert Dafford. After 15 years with Dafford Murals, Roe left to pursue his own art career. He currently resides in Lafayette, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jefferson City station</span>

Jefferson City is an Amtrak train station in Jefferson City, Missouri, United States. The station is located on the ground floor of the former Union Hotel, which was built in 1855 and is part of the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site. The Amtrak station was previously located at the old Missouri Pacific Railroad station before moving two blocks west to its current location in 1984.

<i>Union Station</i> (mural) Mural in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Union Station is a two-story tall mural in the Short North and Italian Village neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. The mural was painted by Gregory and Jeff Ackers facing a parking lot in the commercial district. The work has been lost or hidden from view since about 2014, when a hotel was built on the parking lot site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Chase Trail</span>

The Camp Chase Trail is a paved multi-use trail in Madison and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It serves as the Southwest Columbus segment of the 326-mile (525 km) Ohio to Erie Trail. The entire length of the Camp Chase Trail is part of the Great American Rail-Trail, U.S. Bicycle Route 21 and U.S. Bicycle Route 50.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad Station</span> Historic site

The Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad Station, today named Station 67, is a union meeting space and event hall located in Franklinton, near Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Built by the Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad from 1895 to 1896, it served as a passenger station until 1930. It served as an office and shelter for Volunteers of America from 1931 to 2003, and has been the headquarters of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67, a firefighters' union, since 2007. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. During its history, the building has experienced fires and floods, though its relatively few owners have each made repairs and renovations to preserve the building's integrity. The building is the last remaining train station in Columbus.

Queen Brooks is an artist from Columbus, Ohio, best known for her distinctive, brightly painted, wood-burned pieces. Brooks has been described by The Columbus Dispatch as "one of Ohio’s best-known African-American artists," and by Columbus Museum of Art director Nannette Maciejunes as "a leading arts elder in our community." Brooks is an influential mentor of many younger artists, including psycheñwelic painter April Sunami. She is a past winner of the Lila Wallace, Reader's Digest International Artist Award, which gave her a fellowship in Abidjan, the capital of the West African country of Côte d'Ivoire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scioto Audubon Metro Park</span> Park and nature preserve in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Scioto Audubon Metro Park is a public park and nature preserve in Columbus, Ohio. The park is managed by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and is part of the Scioto Mile network of parks and trails around Downtown Columbus. The park features numerous trails, wetlands, rock climbing, volleyball and bocce courts, and numerous other amenities. At the western edge is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, considered the first nature center built in close proximity to a downtown area.

Sandy Kessler Kaminski is an American painter and mixed-media artist who is also known for her public art murals. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her work can be found in many places throughout the city and the surrounding area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">77 North Front Street</span> City office building in Columbus, Ohio

77 North Front Street is a municipal office building of Columbus, Ohio, in the city's downtown Civic Center. The building, originally built as the Central Police Station in 1930, operated in that function until 1991. After about two decades of vacancy, the structure was renovated for city agency use in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil House</span> Former hotel in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

The Neil House was a historic hotel on High Street in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. The hotel operated on Capitol Square from 1842 to 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Station arch</span> Historical relic in Columbus, Ohio

The Union Station arch is a 35 ft (11 m) Beaux-Arts arch standing at McFerson Commons Park in Columbus, Ohio. The work was designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham, as part of a grand entranceway to the city's Union Station. It has intricate details, including Corinthian columns, multiple cornices and friezes, and statuary groups; some currently in storage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Bus Station</span> Intercity bus station in Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus Bus Station was an intercity bus station in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. The station, managed by Greyhound Lines, also served Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, GoBus, and other carriers. The current building was constructed in 1969. From 1979 until its closure in 2022, with the demolition of Union Station and a short-lived replacement, the Greyhound station was the only intercity transit center in the city.

References

  1. 1 2 "RESTORATION HELPS ARTIST FULFILL HIS HEART'S DESIRE - MURALIST GIVING PROCEEDS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH". The Columbus Dispatch. August 12, 1998. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. "Artist Selected for Planned Mural", Kevin Parks. This Week Community News. 28 mar 2012. Retrieved 20 jun 2012.
  3. "Muralist ready to make a scene in Clintonville".
  4. "Before and After: Short North". 11 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 "SHORT NORTH - Mural project shows changing landscape". The Columbus Dispatch. August 2, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2023.