A 'Beautiful' Mural
Ohio Wesleyan Graduate Creates Public Art Celebrating Cinema, City of Delaware
The next cinematic masterpiece unveiled at downtown Delaware's historic Strand Theatre won't be projected on a movie screen. The colorful, larger-than-life image will be painted on the Strand's exterior by Ohio Wesleyan University graduate and acclaimed muralist Nick Stull '07.
Stull began work July 20 on the 1,300-square-foot mural, titled "The House Beautiful," and expects to complete it in a few weeks with help from fellow Columbus muralists Joe Dulin-Didonato and Daniel Rona, and from OWU students Kenna Malley '27, Nikita Ogata '29, and Nana Kwadwo Tweneboa-Kodua '27. Stull's design is being painted using exterior latex and acrylic paints from Delaware's PPG Industries Inc., which is supporting the public art with a community project grant.
'Magical and Awe-Inspiring'
In his design brief, Stull explains he chose the mural's name based on a Delaware Daily Journal-Herald news article published when the Strand opened its doors in 1916. And he designed it based on 110 years of city and cinematic history since.
"This mural design captures the magical and awe-inspiring nature of the cinematic experience," says Stull, who earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan with concentrations in painting, drawing, and sculpture. "It depicts a young child mid-bite of popcorn, staring in wonder at an implied movie screen. A soft glow from the screen washes over his face, immersing him in the theater environment and enhancing the sense of delight. The goal of the mural is to evoke immediate feelings of joy and recognition as viewers recall their own formative theater memories."
The mural also includes references to films connected with the Strand and Delaware history, Stull says, including "42" (which features the role of 1904 OWU alumnus Branch Rickey in signing Jackie Robinson and breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier), as well as 1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis," 1989's "Glory," and 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises."
"Additionally," Stull shares, "the film strip includes specific references to Delaware, including The Brown Jug, Ohio Wesleyan University, The Arts Castle, and Delaware Hayes High School."
Artistic Influence
Recalling his days as a Bishop, Stull says his primary mentor was his painting professor, Marty Kalb, who "had a huge influence on my art trajectory" and helped him consider the arts as a career option. (Kalb retired in 2007 after a 40-year OWU teaching career.)
"It wasn't until the intro painting and design courses with Marty that I really began to fall in love with color, figurative painting, and expression," Stull says. "There are things that Marty may have said just in passing at the time that still stick with me, and I still have moments here and there where I'm like, 'Oh, I see what he was conveying there!' or 'I understand now why he presented it that way.'"
Art Everywhere
In addition to his Strand mural, Stull's art also is featured at Ohio Wesleyan, with a series of his murals, titled "Human Mosaic," on permanent display in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.
"Human Mosaic" features 10 portraits "celebrating the rich and complex tapestry that makes up our OWU community," according to the display description. "With a centered purpose of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the individuals represented in the murals span various backgrounds and identities conveyed through differences and commonalities between race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identification, and body type."
Stull's work also graces the cover of the June edition of 614 magazine as part of the article, "In Full Color: 9 local artists making their mark." In his magazine interview, Stull told writer Jordan Abbruzzese: "I love doing public art because a lot of the murals I do the community will see every day. You're engaging with community members and different committees to develop a mural that really speaks to that neighborhood or identity of that area, the history, or the trajectory of what a place wants to be."
'Transformative Power'
Tracey Peyton, managing director of the Strand, says Stull's ability to capture a sense of place demonstrates exactly why he is the perfect artist for this project.
"We're incredibly excited about what this mural represents," Peyton says, "not just because it's beautiful, but because it's another investment in our community's story. …
"At the Strand, we have always believed that the arts do not stop at our front doors," she continues. "This mural extends that mission beyond the theatre and into the community. We hope it sparks curiosity, conversation, and a sense of pride every time someone walks by. We want visitors and residents alike to see that Delaware believes in the transformative power of the arts and understands that power to bring people together. …
"What makes this project even more special is the collaboration behind it. We are incredibly grateful to PPG for believing in this vision and providing the grant that made the mural possible. ... Add to that, Nick, an artist with Ohio Wesleyan roots, and this mural becomes more than a work of art – it becomes a celebration of local talent, collaboration, and the spirit of Delaware."
Read more about Stull and see more of his artwork at www.nickstull.com.