Submitted photo From left, Dragana Crnjak, professor of art at Youngstown State University; Jayme McKay ’23, BFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Arts; Chloe Miklos ’20, BA in Multimedia Communication with a minor in Studio Art; Rachel Hritz ’22, BFA in Studio Art with a focus in painting; Joy Christiansen Erb, chair of the Department of Art; and Karen Schubert, director of Lit Youngstown and partner in the first phase of the mural, pose next to one of three murals they created that were added to the Murals Across Ohio program.

Staff report

Three murals created through Youngstown State University’s Department of Art — the Andrews Avenue, Vellourec and Trek murals — have been officially added to “Murals Across Ohio”, a statewide collection highlighting public murals across all 88 Ohio counties.

The recognition places both YSU and the City of Youngstown into a statewide spotlight for public art and cultural impact.

“It is wonderful to see Youngstown represented at the state level and to see our students’ work recognized for its artistic and community value,” said Dragana Crnjak, professor of art. “This acknowledgement is truly an honor. These murals reflect years of collaboration, creativity, and dedication, and it’s meaningful to have that work included in a statewide collection.”

Crnjak said the murals originated from a desire to merge student learning with real-world, community-centered artmaking. Students were involved in researching sites, developing concepts, preparing surfaces and executing portions of the designs alongside faculty and community partners.

“When students work on public art, they see firsthand how their ideas can shape and uplift the community,” Crnjak said. “They are not just making art for a classroom – they are making something that becomes part of the visual identity of a neighborhood. That kind of experience stays with them.”

The murals selected for the state collection highlight a range of themes, from neighborhood identity and industrial history to storytelling and place-making. Crnjak said each mural was designed intentionally to enhance its surrounding environment while reflecting Youngstown’s culture, resilience and creative talent.

The Vellorec mural also will appear in the America 250-Ohio 2026 wall calendar, bringing additional statewide visibility to the project.

“It’s exciting to see our work reach audiences beyond Youngstown,” Crnjak said. “It shows our students that their contributions matter.”

Decals marking each mural’s inclusion in the “Murals Across Ohio” collection were installed on Friday. Crnjak said having Youngstown featured alongside murals from across the state reinforce the city’s growing presence in Ohio’s arts landscape.

“To have three murals recognized is an achievement for our students, our department and for Youngstown,” she said. “It shows what is possible when the university and community work together.”