The communities of Wyoming, Woodlawn, Lockland, and Lincoln Heights are celebrating the completion of the first mural in a four-community public art initiative designed to promote unity, hope, and belonging throughout Cincinnati’s 45215 corridor.
Known collectively as Zone 15, these northern hills communities each have their own unique identity and proud history. In recent years, however, community leaders, organizations, and residents have increasingly worked together to strengthen connections across the entire corridor.
That spirit of collaboration inspired the Mural Project. The initiative began when Becky Miars, working with the Wyoming Art Show, brought together partners to envision a series of four murals—one in each Zone 15 community. The mayors of the four communities gathered to begin to envision this collaboration in early 2025. Wyoming Community in Action (WCIA) agreed to lead the project, commissioning murals in Wyoming, Woodlawn, Lockland, and Lincoln Heights. In spring 2026, the committee issued a regional call for artists with the goal of completing the first two murals before the end of the year.
We are raising the final $20,000 to complete this project.
Themes for the Murals
The theme for the Mural Project, “Love Lives Here,” emerged from a powerful moment of solidarity following demonstrations by white nationalist groups near Lincoln Heights Elementary School. In response, residents and organizations throughout the 45215 corridor came together to show students, families, and neighbors that they are loved, valued, and supported.
Members of Wyoming Community in Action lined the school’s driveway with handmade signs offering messages of hope, encouragement, and unity. One sign simply read, “Love Lives Here.” That message resonated throughout the community, becoming a rallying cry for the growing partnership among the Zone 15 communities and ultimately became the theme for the mural project and other efforts.
Progress
Renowned Cincinnati muralist Cedric Cox was selected to create the first mural of the series. Cox’s murals can be found throughout the Cincinnati region, and throughout the project he invited local residents to help paint the mural, transforming it into a true community collaboration. The first mural has transformed the side of Wyoming Community Coffee at 434 Springfield Pike and was dedicated on July 30, 2026 (see pictures below).
The second mural, designed by artist Jazz Chao, is scheduled to begin later this summer in Lockland. Later this year, Cedric Cox will work with Woodlawn on the third mural, with the final mural in Lincoln Heights to follow in 2027.
Cedric Cox – Artist of Wyoming Mural
Cedric Cox creates paintings that propel color into rhythmic motion, combining abstract and recognizable imagery in compositions inspired by music, nature, architecture, and art history. His work ranges from cubist-inspired geometric constructions to cityscapes, landscapes, and curvilinear floral forms that move through richly imagined, surreal environments.
Cox’s artwork is held in numerous corporate and private collections and appears in large-scale indoor and outdoor murals located at schools, libraries, businesses, and community centers throughout the Cincinnati region and beyond.
His work has been exhibited at major institutions and galleries including the 21c Museum Hotel, Contemporary Arts Center, Taft Museum of Art, and Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati; the Museum of Science and Industry and Gallery Guichard in Chicago; the Columbus Museum of Art; the Dayton Art Institute; Five Myles Gallery in Brooklyn; the Harmon Museum; and the Houston Museum of African American Culture.
In 2020, Cox presented a solo exhibition at James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona, Arizona, and a twenty-year retrospective at Caza Sikes Gallery. That same year, he completed a commissioned body of work for Cincinnati’s Kinley Hotel and joined Black Art Speaks, collaborating on the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Cincinnati City Hall.
In 2021, he completed a series of 64 paintings for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In 2022, he created the first of two large-scale paintings for the Dayton Metro Library and executed four outdoor murals in Avondale celebrating joy, healing, and community pride.
In 2024, Cox completed his largest mural project to date for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, along with mural commissions for the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Artsville Performing Arts Center, and Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy. Solo exhibitions continued that year at Studio Kroner and Eisele Gallery, followed by Charismata, a solo exhibition at Xavier University in 2025.
In addition to gallery and museum exhibitions, Cox’s work has been featured in books, magazines, and public broadcasting platforms throughout his career.
Jazz Chao – Artist of Lockland Mural
Jazz Chao is a Cincinnati-based artist and tattooer whose work explores storytelling, memory, and the connections that shape communities. Raised in Lockland, Ohio, Chao’s artistic voice was formed by the resilience, challenges, and relationships of a working-class neighborhood. Early encouragement from a dedicated art teacher helped transform art from a creative outlet into a lifelong pursuit.
Chao studied Art History and Museum Studies at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP and has exhibited work throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to painting and tattooing, she has expanded into large-scale public art and mural projects through collaborations with Enodia Studios.
Drawing inspiration from everyday experiences, shared spaces, and overlooked moments, Chao’s work reflects themes of endurance, belonging, and the ways communities come together across social and physical divides. Her practice is rooted in honoring place, preserving memory, and celebrating the people whose stories often go untold.
With Gratitude
We are happy to announce Sherwin Williams is an official corporate sponsor of the Zone 15 Mural Project! Selected artists will receive up to 10 gallons of Sherwin Williams Duration® Paint in a range of colors to bring their mural vision to life. Known for its durability, vibrancy and long-lasting finish , this premium paint will help ensure your artwork stands bold and beautiful in the community for years to come.
Questions can be directed to the Mural Committee by email at wcia.outreach@gmail.com.
