APE BLEAKNEY
APE MADE
Ape_Bleakney_Cuyahoga_Falls_Portage_Trail_Bridge_CROP 1 Bleakney, Cuy Falls Main Wall MASTER FILE (1:5 original

Cuyahoga Falls / Portage Trail Bridge Underpass Mural

2024-2025

These murals were created for the City of Cuyahoga Falls. They face the river on the Portage Trail Bridge underpass, on the backside of downtown Front street (on Riverfront Pkwy, between Broad and E Portage Trail).

The murals visualize the connection between Cuyahoga Falls - its people and history - with the Cuyahoga River and nature of the broader Cuyahoga Valley region. Through a collaged mashup of hyperlocal old and new, I’ve illustrated the evolution from the earlier days to present day state of renewal. 

The river is central in each, highlighting its historic importance to the town’s development and its current transformation (dam removal, improved river health, and increased recreational opportunities). I’ve intermingled human elements with native plants and animals to signify the river’s renewal and the broader interconnectedness of people and nature.

 

Cuyahoga Falls, Main Wall, artwork measures 502’’W x 192’’H

 

Cuyahoga Falls, Side Wall, artwork measures 93’’W x 192’’H

 
 

DESIGN + RESEARCH:

I did a LOT of research about the city’s history and used many historic elements in building the designs. Thank you to the Cuyahoga Falls Historical Society - especially Marge - for all of their help. I utilized historic photos, maps, and writings as elements in the artwork. And thanks to Tom Sullivan for meeting with me to chat local history and for welcoming me into his machine shop / personal museum. Many of his tools and trinkets made it into the final designs. As did old tools of both of my grandfathers (from the same era of the city’s more industrial past). I also incorporated/abstracted illustrations from my Great-Uncle’s 1940s machinist’s handbook. (See below for a comprehensive list of imagery included.)

 
 
 
 

CREATION:

I created these as screen prints, scanned at high resolution, and enlarged for a heat-set vinyl application.

Main wall original measures: 11.25’’H x 30’’W

Side wall original measures: 22’’H x 15’’W

 
 

PREP:

I worked with Inflatable Images for vinyl installation and surface prep.

We first gussied up the bridge underpass wall with a fresh coat of paint/primer. It was looking pretty rough from age and recent ODOT patching. Inflatable printed the vinyl panels as well at this stage.

 
 

INSTALLATION:

Over 2 days in October, Inflatable Images installed and heat-set the vinyl while I sanded and painted the 11 nearby cylinders a matching forest green.

Thank you to the install crew!

 

Timelapse of install, Day One