Newport, Ky. – Fifteen art students from Newport High School are turning the city’s floodwall into a living canvas, painting a series of bright, bold murals that highlight Newport’s history and landmarks. The project is part of a city‑wide public‑art initiative supported by ArtsWave and organized by local artist Peyton Harshfield.
Community collaboration fuels the design
Harshfield, who partnered with the city and ArtsWave to launch the effort, praised the students’ enthusiasm. “These kids are doing great. They’re filling in all of our colors. I think we’re down to the last few. Now we’re starting to do some double coats and finishing up,” he said.
The murals are designed to be highly visible from the road, with large, simplified graphics, bold white lines, and vivid colors that make the artwork readable for drivers. Harshfield explained, “We want to make them very bright, vibrant, but also readable and easily seen from the road. Everything is super big, bold and very simplified.”
Landmarks and local pride
Each panel incorporates iconic Newport symbols, such as the Purple People Bridge and the Bellevue skyline, as well as wayfinding sections near the traffic lights at the fork that leads to Dayton or Bellevue, Kentucky. The design reflects ideas gathered from a community survey that received nearly 200 responses, allowing residents to suggest landmarks, notable people, and key elements they wanted represented.
Students share their motivation
For the students, the mural project is more than a school assignment; it is an opportunity to express creativity and give back to their hometown. “I just like the creativeness of it, like the freedom and all, but you can just do whatever you want with it,” said senior Nicole Tomas Thomas.
Freshman Willow Low‑Holmer expressed excitement about the lasting impact of the work. “I’m especially going to be amazed when I drive by with my family members or my friends. And then even in the future, if I leave and come back and visit my town, I can show everybody I’ve met and even post about it. It will be really amazing to see I contributed and made a difference,” she said.
Public support and future vision
The mural committee, formed by city officials, ArtsWave, and Harshfield, used the public survey to shape the vision for the floodwall artwork. Residents’ input ensured the final design reflects the community’s shared identity and pride.
As the final coats dry, the murals will stand as a permanent reminder of Newport’s rich history and the collaborative spirit of its youth. The project demonstrates how local schools, artists, and civic organizations can work together to beautify public spaces while reinforcing a sense of place for current and future generations.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
