Covington’s downtown streets have taken on an underwater glow this weekend as the BLINK art festival showcases a striking three‑dimensional mural of fluorescent koi fish. The piece, painted by a group of local volunteers, stretches across a large wall on Madison Avenue and is visible to festival‑goers strolling through the city’s historic core.
Community collaboration brings the mural to life
“We’ve got a bunch of koi fish painted by different members of the community, all brought together to kind of create this communal piece,” said Chunk of China, the lead artist who organized the project. Using bright, glow‑in‑the‑dark paint, volunteers added swirling streamers to the fish, giving the illusion of movement as the night air brushes past.
Alexandrea Pangburn, a Lexington‑based artist who contributed a separate mural nearby, described the impact of public art on the city. “For it to be able to stay here for other people to relate to and look at and be able to feel some sort of emotion and joy is really special,” Pangburn said. Her mural, which features a field of flowers and a galloping horse, runs alongside the koi display and can be seen from Madison Avenue.
BLINK festival highlights local creativity
BLINK, now in its third year, features more than 100 unique exhibits ranging from interactive light installations to live performances. David Wertheim, senior event producer with the regional chamber, emphasized the festival’s role in uniting residents. “We think it’s one of a kind, what we’re doing here,” he said, noting that the event draws visitors from across Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area.
The festival runs Friday through Sunday, with each night illuminated by glowing artworks, music stages, and food vendors offering locally sourced fare. Organizers have warned that weather could shift later in the weekend, but they remain confident that the nighttime exhibits will continue to shine.
Why public art matters to Covington families
For many families, the mural offers a safe, family‑friendly gathering spot where children can marvel at the colorful fish while parents enjoy a stroll through the downtown district. “Seeing something beautiful that our kids helped create makes the city feel more like home,” said one local parent who stopped by the exhibit with her two young children.
Local churches and community groups have also rallied around the festival, providing volunteers and promoting the event through parish bulletins and neighborhood newsletters. The collaboration underscores Covington’s commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene that aligns with traditional family values and a strong sense of community.
Looking ahead
Festival organizers hope the success of the koi mural will inspire future public‑art projects throughout Covington and the surrounding region. “When art is placed in the heart of the city, it becomes a shared experience that strengthens our neighborhoods,” Wertheim added.
Visitors are encouraged to return each evening to see the mural’s fluorescence shift under different lighting conditions, creating a dynamic visual experience that reflects the city’s growing artistic spirit.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
