Columbus artists adorn abandoned I-70/I-71 overpass with giant mural

More than a dozen artists, engineers and architects took 50 gallons of outdoor paint and several weeks of work to create a king-size message for Columbus: “We are stronger together.”

The 400-foot mural covers nearly 9,000 square feet Downtown on an abandoned overpass over Interstates 70 and 71 near West Whittier Street and the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. It was created by artist Mandi Caskey and friends as well as Catalyst Columbus, a nonprofit foundation to create large, contemporary murals. The work was finished Thursday after two days of painting and two preceding weeks of preparation.

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“The message stemmed from the pandemic, of course, a way to unite people and work with my lovely art friends,” Caskey said. “But I think it’s more than just dealing with COVID-19. The project had a huge scope and the message of unity covers a lot of ground, too. I just hope it makes people smile.”

The mural can be seen from tall, nearby buildings — such as the Miranova Condominiums — and spotted from airplanes. Caskey and her crew created drone photos of the piece as well as videos of its making, posted on Instagram.

“The intention was for it to be accessible to people who were staying home,” she said.

Caskey, 27, donated her services. Payment to the other artists as well as money for the materials came from a $6,000 grant from the Create Columbus Commission. Not exhausted by the project — which was done with the assistance of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Columbus Art Commission — the grant will continue to fund other mural projects in central Ohio.

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