Image: Glass City River Wall, courtesy of Urban Sight, Inc.

Glass City River Wall (a haibun)

Destination: Toledo, Ohio, USA.  Many cities have an easily recognizable landmark — the one that sets it apart from all other cities on the planet. Toledo, Ohio, nicknamed the Glass City, has such a landmark. However, historically, this landmark was only recognizable to the residents of Toledo — a not-so-pretty row of 28 concrete grain silos along the east bank of the Maumee River.

That is now changing.

Today, these silos are ground zero of the largest mural project in the United States — a full 170,000 square feet — the Glass City River Wall. Designed by artist Gabe Gault, the mural on the silos consists of sunflowers and portraits of living Native Americans. Phase 1, the preparation and painting, is nearing completion. Phase 2 will include lighting for the project to further bring attention to and elevate the mural.

Why sunflowers and Native Americans? In classic literature and art, sunflowers often represent hope, faith, good fortune, and loyalty. Additionally, the wild sunflower, or Sun Choke, was a key crop for the indigenous people of the northwest Ohio region and the Maumee River Valley.

Native American women and children, being the “first farmers” of the region, occupy prominent positions in the mural. Living models from three separate tribes were selected to remind us that Native Americans exist in vibrant communities across the country today — they are not relics of the past.

homage to the past
bright beacon to the future
proud of my home town

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Official Glass City River Wall website

Linked to dVerse Poets Pub — Open Link Night #305, where Mish is hosting.

Below is a clip shown on CBS Sunday Morning about the mural…