Stark11: 11 Pieces of Public Art in the Canton Arts District
Mar 10, 2022
The Downtown Canton Arts District has some of the most beautiful and unique art in Ohio. With art located on almost every corner it’s a great place for a bike ride or just an art stroll.
The CAD has a wide range of murals, vinyl art installations, and sculptures. It’s a must see for any art lover. Below are my top 11 pieces of public art in the Canton Arts District!
11. The Deli Ohio Mural
– This bright and beautiful mural on the side of the Deli Ohio restaurant exists on the East side of Downtown has 3D features and celebrates healthy and locally grown food. Behind the mural is a beautiful public garden which all are invited to enjoy. This fairly new work of art was installed by Micah Doward and Lily Merritt recently.
10. Canton, Ohio postcard
– This beautiful mural is on the side of Buzzbin located in the center of Downtown Canton. This is part of a series of classic postcard murals across America. This mural was created by Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs on their Greetings Tour.
9. Polypus by Thomas Morgan
– One of the most notable landmarks in the Canton Arts District is the giant Octopus bursting out of the top and sides of the building that houses the Imperial Room. This unique piece is quick to grab your eye and hard to forget!
8. Steel and Tire Rhino by Buckohr, Close, Paul Werner and Steve Brodzensk
– located across from Market Square this life size rhino is the number one choice for visitors to climb for a photo. Made of slices of used tires and industrial steel, this rhino looks as burly as the real thing.
7. The Sky is the Limit by Joseph Close
– McKinley Avenue & 3rd St NW – You’ll have to look up to see this piece gracing the Timken High School skywalk. It’s full of Joe Close’s sharp edges and manic lines.
6. Shutterbug by P.R. Miller – Cleveland Ave NW & 5th St N
– This is one of the first works of art I found in downtown Canton. It’s a towering mosquito like creature with a slightly camera-like face. It’s brightly colored and full of imagination. This piece is easily one of the strangest and most beautiful pieces in downtown.
5. Gaia's Hope by Joseph Carl Close
– Located on Court Ave across from the Canton Chop House, Napoli’s and the Canton Brewing Company. This series of beautiful hand painted psychedelic fence panels hang high in the alleyway.
4. Football Tractor by PR Miller – Court Ave. & 5th St. N.
- I’m not a huge football fan, but there’s a wealth of football themed art in the Hall of Fame City. The one that grips me most is this heavy metal Football Tractor. The work is a massive hunk of steel looking more like an industrial war machine than a tractor. No chance this bulky behemoth will blow away in a storm
3. Rust Belt Collective
– One of many Steve Ehret monster murals in the downtown area. This mural hides behind Deli Ohio on the industrial building of the now defunct AE Art Gallery.
2. Jim Thorpe Mural
– Another football mural and another work by Joseph Carl Close with Alaska Thompson. This rugged historic football player looms stories above 5th Street and DeWalt Ave like a leather helmeted Godzilla.
1. Mother Goose Land Mural
– This is absolutely my favorite work of art near downtown Canton. Just a few blocks west of the Arts District sits the abandoned, but being revitalized Mother Goose Land park. Originally a children’s fantasy land, this epic mural stretches across a long walking path and feature creatures of fantasy and nursery rhymes. Try your best to get this one in a single photo.