High St. art reflects Columbus culture

While walking up and down High Street in Columbus, Ohio it's hard not to be taken back by the beautiful murals and street art that decorates the area. Within the radius of a few blocks, there are almost five different murals painted along side business and housing developments. The only thing I can think to myself is "what happened to Toledo along the way?"

In Toledo, there are a few festive arrangements around UT's campus and the Toledo Museum of Art, but as far as street art or murals is concerned, it seems that the art Toledo is littered generally gang related art. Spray painting in the spirit of artistic merit is one thing but using tags as a way for gangs to mark their territory is another.

In L.A., for example Oakwood and John Marshall High Schools collaborated in a joint project to create traveling murals to educate schools about the conservation of the L.A. River. Similarly, graffiti artist and muralist Alex Poli gathered hundreds of muralists to decorate the architecture around the L.A. River in an attempt to bring back the natural state of river and make it feel more like a park. The usage and power of artwork is an obvious, timeless way to make changes in society.

The street art throughout Columbus is both inspirational and cultivating, to say the least. With a little effort, it's nice to think that Toledo could be oriented with similar artistic décor throughout the streets. Perhaps Toledo would benefit from an increased participation from the community, art students, artists, and entrepreneurs taking initiative to revive inspirational urban art.

Imagine if Dorr. Street. was as visually rich as High Street. As a part of the Dorr Street. Gateway Project, it would be inspirational and beneficial to create a similar culture around UT. Incorporating urban art as a part of the Dorr. Street. development plan may help structure Toledo and the UT area as a community worth recognizing and possibly even give Toledo a lower rank on the list of most miserable cities in the nation.

A call to action seems like a long shot, but nothing is impossible. This may be wishful thinking, but such an innovational collaboration might bring a sense of enlightenment and togetherness to the UT community. Letting art students create murals would establish a sense of pride. It is possible to change the social mentality of a community with urban art. With the advancements made with the businesses on the corner of Dorr Street. and Secor Road., the UT community is moving in the right direction.

In a January 2009 interview with the Independent Collegian concerning the Dorr Street Gateway Project, Director of Business Enterprises for UT Foundation Matt Schroeder said, "This conceptual land use plan is looking at the new University of Toledo, sizing it right for the future in terms of future growth and expansion, connectivity between the three campuses and what our overall relationship with the neighborhood will look like and how to improve those relationships."

As far as future growth, expansion and connectivity, which was the initial plan for the Dorr St. Gateway Project, some artistic development and appreciation might be key for the cultivation of this campus.