YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Layers of Legacy, downtown’s newest mural, is almost complete and will get its official unveiling at 3 p.m. Friday.
The mural – which reads “Greetings from Youngstown” in the style of a traditional tourism postcard – is on the side of a building at 107 W. Federal St. It brightens up the center of downtown, and is easily visible to eastbound motorists.
The unveiling ceremony will take place in the Kress parking lot, 111 W. Federal St.
The mural tells the story of Youngstown in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
From concept generation to design, it was shaped by the community. Residents shared design ideas through public surveys, local artists submitted creative concepts, and a selection committee of downtown stakeholders chose the artists.
Each letter has scenes that depict a well-known part of Youngstown’s landmarks and culture.
Some of the images salute:
- Realty Tower, the landmark downtown high-rise that was razed after a devastating 2024 explosion.
- Favorite foods and ice cream.
- A salute to city police and firefighters.
- Sports heroes.
- The Silver Bridge in Mill Creek Park.
- Central Tower, the city’s tallest building.
- Musical artists.
The mural was supervised by Pat McGlone, who has created many public artworks in the area, and Christina Bunevich, Willie Duck Jr. and Daniel Madeline.
McGlone painted the outline, and the three other artists painted the art inside the letters.
The mural is a project of the Economic Action Group development agency and is part of the city’s America 250 celebration to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial.
“I think it will be a very cool piece that the whole city will get behind,” McGlone told the city’s design review committee last month. He noted that visitors could use it as a photo backdrop.
Pictured at top: Youngstown artist Willie Duck Jr. stands in front of the Layers of Legacy mural. He is one of several local artists creating the artwork.