Scaled renderings concept design of the Graduate Hotel murals. All image courtesy of the Short North Alliance.

Two new permanent art projects will be unveiled this summer in the Short North Arts District.

The new Graduate Columbus Hotel in the Short North, due to open early this fall, is set to house some of the tallest murals in the city of Columbus.

To be created is a series titled “Journey,” made of three new permanent murals depicting a hummingbird and mythological figures, which signifies prosperity. In another mural, a Somali woman wearing a traditional guntiino will represent the journey of new Americans in Columbus. The woman depicted in the mural is Hodan Mohammed, who is the leader of Our Helpers — a local Somali community organization — and the founder of the Columbus Somali Festival.

The second mural design depicting Hodan Mohammed, a local Somali community leader, wearing a traditional guntiino.

Los Angeles-based artists Ryan Sarfati and Eric Skotnes were chosen through a national call for muralists to create the work. Between the two they have created murals that can be seen in over 20 countries that are uniquely influenced by their street art and graffiti backgrounds.

The artists will also create an augmented reality experience with the murals for the public to enjoy. Additionally, they will partner with the Short North Alliance to lead an artist-in-residency program to take place over three days, from Aug. 9-11.

Installation of the murals will begin the week of July 21 and last approximately one month.

A second mural project comes by way of Ohio-based folk band CAAMP, made up of band members Taylor Meier, Evan Westfall and Matt Vinson. The trio is gifting a mural to the Short North Arts District that depicts the stories told through the band’s music.

The new permanent mural, titled “Are you a life force?” was created by Meier’s mother, Columbus muralist Sally Meier. It coincides with the group’s forthcoming album, By and By, to be released late July 2019.

“The career development of CAAMP is a textbook example of how great music, hard work and support from local fans will pay off,” said Bruce Garfield, executive director of Music Columbus. “CAAMP is an exciting musical asset to all of Columbus and now the nation.”



The mural will be installed on the Buttles Avenue side of Bakersfield in the Short North Arts District. Installation is expected to begin on July 23.

Additional Reading: New Temporary Mural Series Announced for Short North Arts District