Last month Telhio Credit Union held a celebration ceremony for a new building mural, "Cultivating Community" at their Park Avenue branch in Hamilton, Ohio. The mural was painted through the StreetSpark Program, a public art initiative in partnership with The Fitton Center for the Creative Arts. The program is made possible through its funding partners, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation.
The concept for "Cultivating Community", designed by local artist Jamie Schorsch, was inspired by Telhio's core values of caring, commitment and integrity. Compositional elements used in the design are inspired by Art Deco rendering traditions that were prevalent in the artwork of 1930's, when the credit union was founded, as well as the architecture throughout the City of Hamilton. The image is designed to be viewed as a wrap around, but also stand on its own as a composition when viewed from one side of the building.
Design elements and symbolism embedded in "Cultivating Community" are intended to synthesize with the architectural structure of the Telhio Credit Union, provide contemporary and historical nods to the surrounding environment as well as the function on Telhio nurturing the community, while communicating a whimsical uplifting image that communicates tranquility, peace, and prosperity.
"'Cultivating Community' has such powerful imagery and represents the way our communities thrive, by people helping people." said Leslie Bumgarner, President and CEO, Telhio Credit Union. "This mural perfectly represents Telhio's core values of caring, commitment, and integrity."
Various community leaders joined the community celebration, including:
- Pat Moeller, Mayor of City of Hamilton
- Ian
MacKenzie-Thurley, Executive Director of Fitton Center
- Jennifer
Acus-Smith, StreetSpark Program Manager
- Leslie Bumgarner, Telhio President and CEO
