Internationally known artist adds his touch to "art is..." project in NKY

Austrian artist Nino Werner added his own touch to the “art is…” project along the Licking River Greenway and Trails. His image is along the riverbank behind Austinburg Park.
 
Werner’s mural was designed to respond to the structure it is painted on, as well as the surrounding area. It was completed this month with the help of Crosley Brammer, a Cincinnati native.
 
The mural depicts a red cardinal sitting on the foot of a wooden puppet boy. The cardinal is telling a story about the wonders of nature and the real world that is beyond the box he lives in.
 
The idea behind “art is…” was to embrace the graffiti that continues to appear on the gatewell structure along the trail. Instead of clearing it off, the project challenges artists to not just leave their name, but also something meaningful to the community.
 
Werner heard about the project and reached out to Vision 2015 to find out how he could contribute. The installation hit home for him because the city of Vienna dealt with graffiti in a similar way.
 
The Licking River Master Plan, which was commissioned by Vision 2015 in 2008, proposes to establish a green corridor in the Licking River valley adjacent to Newport, Covington, Wilder and Taylor Mill. The greenway plan calls for the stabilization of riverbanks, the removal of invasive species and the restoration of native plants, trees and wildlife.
 
The five-mile corridor, which his between the confluence of the Ohio River and the I-275 overpass, includes plans for establishing a multi-level trail system that connects neighborhoods with historical, educational and cultural institutions and recreational facilities. The proposed trail system will provide nature trails, paved trails and water trails.
 
The city of Wilder recently broke ground on its portion of paved trails that leads from the Wilder City Building to Fredricks Landing.
 
By Caitlin Koenig
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