WARREN — With so many rainstorms occurring in the area, any break from dark clouds is a major relief, even if it’s artificial.

Following a collaboration between BRITE Energy Innovators and the HELMS Foundation, rays of sunshine now will greet visitors at David Grohl Alley every day.

The local business incubator and nonprofit organization unveiled the sun mural Friday at the east entrance of the alley, near Modern Methods Brewing Company. Funded by an Ohio Arts Council grant with donations by local businesses and unions, the year-long public art project brought members of BRITE and HELMS together to celebrate with a champagne toast.

The art piece, which is a 19-foot by 20-foot sun with its rays reaching up to the sky, was created, according to HELMS Foundation founder and CEO Terri DiGennaro, while being mindful of placement and wanting it to become an enduring work for many years.

It is made out of firing clay tiles. PVC aluminum panels, cut out by Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, form the sun’s rays while paints specific to brick and aluminum and heavy-duty liquid nails were used, along with special adhesives and grouting for installation.

DiGennaro said the art therapy studio, HELMS, participated in several community events over the past year to allow individuals to express themselves and create personalized, handmade tiles.

“Each tile is unique, but when put together, as a community, a beautiful sunset is created. The mural aims to enhance the entry and visibility of Dave Grohl Alley,” DiGennaro said.

“We couldn’t think of anything more welcoming to show that the Alley is a place to enjoy, view art and have fun with friends,” said Rick Stockburger, BRITE President and CEO.

HELMS accomplished BRITE’s original mission and vision for the project.

“The rising ‘bright’ sun ‘energy’ from the sun, the ‘outreach’ of the rays and the clay for tiles for ‘community,’ BRITE had to approve the design,” DiGennaro said.

She added, “HELMS also met with Dirk Rozic (muralist, local illustrator, graphic designer) who works closely with city officials, community developers, art commissions and private investors. He has become one of the most sought-after mural artists in the northeast. His life-size murals can be seen on the Canton Football Hall of Fame and Lebron James’ Promise School in Akron. We wanted to make sure we had materials that can stand up to Ohio’s weather and provide longevity.”

For Stockburger, the mural is the latest enhancement of the area honoring Warren native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Grohl, who was the drummer for 1990s grunge band Nirvana and lead singer and founder of the Foo Fighters.

“We’ve installed the lights, and the artwork on our building in the alley and felt like the next step was creating something that was viewable from the street to entice people to come in and enjoy the businesses along the alley,” Stockburger said.

He views the project as being one part of a whole that positively unites Warren’s arts and businesses communities.

“BRITE believes in an inclusive approach to the advanced energy economy and one of our core values is FUN. You can’t just be all commercialization all the time. Building a sense of community is the lifeblood of any good project and we wanted our building to be a physical manifestation to that sense of being welcoming and belonging,” Stockburger said. “Building a vibrant business ecosystem means having a vibrant community ecosystem. These things go hand in hand, and I personally have always been a huge supporter of the amazing businesses in downtown Warren.”

Connecting a blossoming city and creativity, DiGennaro said, “HELMS and myself are motivated as supporters for the appreciation and value that Warren has put on art and their community. They are invested, and you cannot revitalize without art.”

Besides the recognition of the sun mural, Modern Methods Brewing Company hosted its Night Market along the alley.

Co-owner Sarah Braun commented on the sunny addition.

“We are super-excited for the new mural. We love bringing together art into community spaces. We love that the HELMS Foundation worked with community members to create the mural and having that participation is so exciting,” she said. “It’s a wonderful addition to the alley and brings a lot of visual interest and attraction. So, we hope people will find us even more and get to experience all that this part of Warren has to offer.”

Several dozen local vendors, artists, and craft, food and product makers were on hand while tacos made by Beautiful Whirl’d were available and entertainment by Feature Friday with Zach Haines. The next market takes place in August.

“It’s been a really great way to connect with new people,” said Braun in regards to the Night Market, “It brings new people into the brewery, and supports other small businesses in the area. We’re super-excited to see it keep growing.”