A recent beautification trend in Northeast Ohio neighborhoods is the creation of public art projects to decorate otherwise drab utility boxes with vibrant art. Six local artists have transformed seven utility boxes in the Fairfax neighborhood, providing long-lasting, additional bursts of color to the area.
The Fairfax utility box project was initially started in 2021 and, after some reorganizing, finally gained momentum and came to fruition earlier this year. These artworks were unveiled in late September to celebrate the art of the selected six artists. The project falls under a larger program – “Amplifying the Voices of Fairfax,” a collaborative effort between the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, Cleveland Clinic, PNC Fairfax Connection, and Teaching Cleveland. The application process – done by Diamond Signs & Graphics – involved digitally producing vinyl graphics of the artwork using cast vinyl and cast laminate. It takes 2-3 hours to apply the artwork to each utility box.
“PNC Fairfax Connection hosted an event on the arts and economics and how they influence the local economy. We announced all the boxes during the unveiling of the Black Madonna and Child piece on East 83rd and Cedar Avenue, created by artist Danny Carver.”
Jesse Dismukes – Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation.
This project was made possible through the Cleveland Clinic Center for Community Health Equity funding. The Clinic’s Philanthropy team funded the project to support the Fairfax Healthy Community Initiative. It advanced funds to the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation to compensate the artists and Diamond Signs & Graphics for their printing and installation work.
The six participating artists:
Asia Armour (Florence Fairfax, E 79th St and Quincy Ave, on the property of the Langston Hughes Community Medical Center) “For this project, I wanted to highlight a key figure in Fairfax’s history and ‘give them their flowers’ for the impact they made,” says Armour. “After digging into the Neighborhood’s roots, Florence Fairfax stood out. Her work was crucial in building the foundation of Fairfax, shaping it into what it is today, though her contributions often go unrecognized. I chose dandelions for the design because they symbolize strength and longevity—qualities that Florence embodied. Dandelions grow deep roots and thrive in harsh conditions, just like her influence has stayed strong over time.”
Danny Carver (Black Madonna and Child, East 83rd St and Cedar Ave, down the street from the PNC Fairfax Connection): “This piece represents a revered depiction of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, both portrayed with dark skin. These images are found in various Christian traditions worldwide and hold significant cultural, religious, and historical importance,” says Carver. “This image was produced using lenticular lenses, a technology that creates a 2D image with the illusion of 3D depth through stereoscopy. The image appears to change or move when viewed from different angles due to the use of lenticular lenses. These lenses are flat, clear plastic sheets with tiny ridges or grooves called ‘lenticules’ embossed on one side.”
Mellowman Funk (Karamu Alumni, East 89th St, and Quincy Ave, across the street from the Karamu House, which it represents): “My piece is called ‘Karamu Alumni,’ it is placed on the utility box across the street from the Karamu House. My art was chosen to be placed at this location because it pays homage to the great thespians who started at the legendary Karamu House, the oldest African American theatre in America. The design is a bright and vibrantly colored art depicting local legends like Ruby Dee, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Bill Cobbs, Robert Guillaume, Langston Hughes, and others.”
Gwendolyn Garth (Vel’s Garden, East 105th St and Cedar Ave, across from the new Meijers Fairfax Market): “I was thrilled that my idea was selected for this utility box. It allowed me to manifest a portion of my vision of having an art piece in all four of the East Side neighborhoods of my youth – Hough, Central, Fairfax, and Glenville. Fairfax marks the second Neighborhood where my art resides. I chose Vel Scott as a subject because she is a Cleveland icon, says Garth. “My early twenties were spent partying at Vel’s Party Center, which was located on East 105th between Euclid and Carnegie. Most of my Cleveland peers in the 70s and 80s have very fond memories of Vel Scott and Vel’s Party Center.”
Alicia Vasquez is a graphic designer/muralist/tattoo artist) and graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Vasquez is also the owner of White Lotus Gallery, Tattoo, located in the 78th Street Studios, on Cleveland’s near West Side. Alicia painted two utility boxes: the ‘Slice of Life‘ Neighborhood Porch, located at East 79th St and Cedar Ave, and Fairfax Churches, located at East 93rd St and Cedar Ave.
Lolita Wilson (Monster Trucks, East 79th St and Cedar Ave) Lolita is a Cuyahoga Community College graduate with a concentration in Painting and Art History. She is one of the founding members of the Visit Art Collective and is working on a documentary that focuses on the art scene in Cleveland. “I was deeply inspired to create this collage as a tribute to Tim Willis, a self-made engineer, and his profound contributions to the Cleveland Fairfax community. His tireless efforts in promoting his community museum of an array of larger-than-life Monster Trucks and Transformers support the community’s fostering sense of belonging. This collage reflects the heart and soul of Tim’s contributions. Through this piece, I hope to inspire others to continue Tim’s mission of unity and empowerment, ensuring that his positive influence will live on for generations to come.”
“It took me about thirty minutes to travel to the seven boxes and photograph them. Without physically being there, I could not observe how most boxes seemed strategically placed, sharing a parallel with the box and its location. The boxes outside Karamu House, Meijers Fairfax Market, and the Langston Hughes medical centers share keen parallels. It is worth a walk, bike ride, or drive to check them all out; all of the boxes are within a mile or two radius. This Fairfax community art project is refreshing for me and most of the participating artists I know.”
Ron Shelton – HAF utility box photographer and Fairfax resident
The utility box art project is part of a surge of recent development and beautification in the Fairfax neighborhood, which includes new construction on the main campus of Cleveland Clinic, significant renovations to the historic Karamu House theater, the addition of the Meijer Fairfax Market, and two new apartment complexes, Aura and Stokes West; Stokes West Apartments has commissioned the Spring 2025 plaza art installation by Darius Stewart and Ron Shelton’s interactive plaza project, “the game of Jacks.”
Born and raised in East Cleveland, Nate Paige has contributed more than 30 years to local journalism. He got his professional start at the Cleveland Call & Post and spent over 20 years at Cleveland.com. He currently handles social media for the city of Shaker Heights and writes for their quarterly magazine, Shaker Life. He also freelances for several local publications.
