'Loving' Lake Erie's new mural

SANDUSKY — The waterfront mural captures some of Lake Erie's best qualities, which would include birding, fishing, sailing and sightseeing. And this new landside painting, in a vibrant portrayal, pays homage to what many can see across Sandusky Bay on a typical summer's day all year long. Wednesday marked the official unveiling and dedication ceremony for a dynamic depiction along a side wall of Shores & Islands Ohio's downtown Sandusky office, 125 E. Water St. The painting faces Landmark Kitchen and Bar's building. Whether standing on a nearby street, passing through an empty lot right out in front or traversing the waterway not too far away, people can check out this piece's many different components. Elements on the 88-by-44 canvas, titled "Reflections on the Lake," include: • Birds flapping through a sunkissed sky • A sailboat traversing calm waters • Familiar icons making up Sandusky's coastline, like a Ferris wheel and lighthouse, among other eye-popping illustrations centered with the "Lake Erie Love" insignia "This spectacular public art project has been years in the making, and the organization is happy to have the project completed for the public's enjoyment," according to a statement from the tourism bureau. Shores & Islands represents the flagship marketing organization for Erie and Ottawa counties. "Shores & Islands Ohio moved into the downtown building in 2020 and had always hoped to beautify the side of the building, which was rebuilt after 2018 storm damage," according to a bureau statement. "Following additional work to ensure the surface was watertight, Shores & Islands Ohio was able to move forward with plans to have a mural painted." How it came to be Artists Derek Brennan, a 2009 Perkins High School graduate, and Chad Fedorovich, of the Cleveland Mural Co., collaborated on this illustration, taking them about a month to complete. They both have created other murals across Sandusky: • Together on "The Boy and the Sneaker" at Venetian Marina on First Street • Brennan on "Live Green" at A & B Hobbies & Cycles on Camp Street; "Warblers and Wildflowers" on the building at the corner of Hancock and East Washington streets; along with several pieces within the interior of Marketplace Downtown/Hogrefe Building • Fedorovich at Castaway Bay and at Paddle & Climb Many authorities beyond Shores & Islands, including Sandusky's arts commission and this building's homeowners' association, agreed to this proposal. The main requirement: Brennan and Fedorovich put together a piece "representative of the region without specifically identifying businesses or attractions. The Shores & Islands Ohio team brainstormed on what to include, and that vision was interpreted by the artists into the final creation." Both talked with great pride on Wednesday, giving some insight into their artistic minds. The moment meant a lot to Brennan, who grew up in Sandusky and frequently returns. "As a mural artist, I'm always driving through the city searching for potential sites. I've been staring at this wall for a few years now, and I knew if I ever got the opportunity that it would really have an impact on downtown," Brennan said. "I just want my work to bring color and joy to people in the community, and it's an honor to be able to leave my mark in the city I grew up in." Making sense of the dollars and cents The project totaled $60,000 with: • $50,000 coming from the bureau through an Erie County-specific enhancement initiative line • $10,000 from Sandusky's public arts fund Speaking up Those representing the agencies financially supporting the latest mural talked about its overall importance: • Arin Blair, the city's chief planner: "In working with the public arts and culture commission over the past few years, murals continue to top the list of high-impact priority projects. We're so excited to have taken part in the creation of this new piece of public art in Sandusky and grateful to Shores & Islands Ohio for taking the lead to make it happen. Public art is a key factor in creating places that are unique, memorable and celebrated." • Amanda Smith Rasnick, Shores & Islands Ohio's development and experience director: "It is incredible to see this impactful mural come to fruition. Having the support and collaboration of the city of Sandusky, the arts commission, the 125 E. Water St. Homeowner's Association, the Shores & Islands Ohio board and staff was an integral part of this process. We look forward to the mural being an attraction in itself, a background for many photos and a celebrated piece of art in Shores & Islands Ohio for many years to come."