Rhythms of Fort Wayne:
How a Group of Artists Transformed Cinderblock into a Downtown Cultural Anchor
Downtown Fort Wayne’s Art This Way program successfully completed a dynamic, multi-panel mural installation on the exterior of 222 Pearl Street. Utilizing the collective talent of five selected local and regional artists, this project achieved the critical objective of transforming unactivated urban walls into a powerful visual testament to the city’s identity as a “Music City.” The completed work adds vibrant energy to the streetscape, anchoring the area as a destination for public art.
The Challenge: Transforming the Unactivated Wall
The building at 222 Pearl Street presented a dual challenge:
- Aesthetics and Activation: The west and north elevations of the building were dominated by large expanses of unactivated cinderblock walls. This industrial surface offered a blank canvas but contributed little to the adjacent, growing downtown corridor. The community needed an impactful way to revitalize this space and draw more visitors to the area.
- Thematic Resonance: The project required a concept that celebrated a core element of Fort Wayne’s culture. With the city embracing its identity as a “music city,” the mandate was to commission artwork that would be visually striking and tell a cohesive story about music’s universal power to “bind neighbors, families, and visitors.”
The Solution Mandate: Art This Way launched a competitive Request-for-Proposal (RFP) process to select a team of artists capable of executing a large-scale installation that would cover the cinderblock walls while carefully preserving the historic brick sections—turning a neglected architectural feature into an inspiring cultural asset.
This video provides news coverage of the mural announcement near The Landing: Downtown Fort Wayne announces new murals near The Landing.
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The Why: Rooting the Project in Local Identity
The project’s purpose was to do more than simply cover a wall; it was an exercise in placemaking—embedding Fort Wayne’s cultural identity directly into the streetscape. The solution was found in the powerful, resonant theme of music.
The Vision: Rhythms of Fort Wayne
As one of the successful artist for the project, Brandon Coley’s proposal, “Rhythms of Fort Wayne,” stood out for its thematic depth and its commitment to community accessibility.
In his winning statement, Coley articulated the concept:
“Music is a universal language that binds neighbors, families, and visitors. My mural, ‘Rhythms of Fort Wayne,’ interprets that shared experience through bold color, kinetic line work, and imagery drawn from the city’s rich musical history.”
The original design centers on a flowing musical staff whose notes dissolve into stylized instruments, voices, and key Fort Wayne city landmarks, illustrating how sound travels through the streets, parks, and classrooms. This composition radiates outward from a shimmering core, successfully embodying a sense of community resilience and collaboration that mirrors Fort Wayne’s diverse neighborhoods.
Commitment to Accessibility and Durability
My concept foregrounded public accessibility, featuring large-scale forms with clear animation-style portraiture, high-contrast color, and legible imagery that can be appreciated from a distance. The commitment also extended to the long-term stewardship of the artwork, using durable, weather-resistant coatings appropriate for the outdoor environment.
The Execution: A Collaborative & Credible Process
The execution phase highlighted a commitment to rigor, collaboration, and public engagement, starting with the competitive selection that secured my vision alongside four other talented artists.
Rigorous Selection and Team Formation
The selection of artists was handled through a structured, multi-step process:
- Competitive RFP: The project utilized a competitive Request-for-Proposal (RFP) process to attract the highest caliber of local and regional muralists.
- The Team: The process led to the selection of five artists—including Me(Brandon Coley), Natalie Fetzer, Carly Mitchell, Mitchell Egly, and Jon Mendelson—to collectively execute the project.
- Official Approval: Ensuring alignment with city standards, the project was thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission.
A Multi-Partner Effort and Technical Scope
The success of the physical installation required significant partnership and technical precision:
- Sponsorship: Funding and resources were secured through key public and private partners, including Downtown Fort Wayne, Art This Way, Lutheran Health Network, and the crucial support of the City of Fort Wayne Façade Grant Program.
- Technical Challenge: The artists adhered to the specific architectural mandate to transform the unactivated, raw cinderblock walls along the west and north elevations of 222 Pearl Street, completing the installation within the agreed-upon 14-day window in August 2025, while ensuring the preservation of the building’s original historic brick.
- Community Integration: In line with the proposal, the process included engaging community partners for design critique and culminating in the public dedication event.
The successful installation of the multi-artist mural at 222 Pearl Street is a model for effective placemaking. The collaboration between Art This Way, Downtown Fort Wayne, key sponsors, and a talented team of artists (including Brandon Coley) transformed a challenging architectural feature into a vibrant, durable, and thematically rich cultural landmark that perfectly captures Fort Wayne’s identity as a “Music City.”
Artist Legacy
The work, built upon meticulous preparation and a clear thematic vision, provides a lasting public benefit.
“Rhythms of Fort Wayne” and the entire Pearl Street collection now stand as a powerful, permanent invitation for residents and visitors to engage with their city’s heritage. By translating local history and culture into large-scale, accessible visuals, the murals fulfill the project’s deepest goal: inspiring community pride, encouraging conversation, and fostering the next generation of local artists.
Call to Action
We encourage the public to visit the completed mural installation at 222 Pearl Street in Downtown Fort Wayne, and to share your photos and experiences online, contributing to the ongoing narrative of public art in the city.
