Graffiti HeArt, the Cleveland nonprofit which promotes street art and street-style artists, has supported many local graffiti and mural artists, as well as brought in noted national and international mural artists to paint in Cleveland. it’s brought in international legenda such as Paris’ Blek le Rat and New York City graffiti pioneer TAKI 183, and during the depths of the pandemic, invited New York-based artist Beau Stanton to paint a Cleveland Guardians-inspired mural on the wall of its building, giving stir-crazy Clevelanders a place to go hang out and watch — socially distanced! (You can see the mural at the side of their building at Superior and East 49th Street).
Now it’s partnered with Downtown Cleveland Inc to bring in Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, who has painted 3,000 murals on five continents. He’ll be painting a large-scale mural at 55 Public Square this coming September.
“It has been a longtime goal of mine to bring Kobra to Cleveland, and I believe this mural will truly reflect some of the proudest parts of our culture as a city,” says Graffiti HeArt founder Stampy Paul. “This will be the largest and one of the most iconic murals in the City of Cleveland and will have the potential to become a destination in and of itself.” Selfie bait!
If you’re interested in supporting the work of Graffiti HeArt, which also finds paying work for northeast Ohio artists and awards scholarships to young artists, grab a ticket to their Grapes and Graffiti benefit coming up on February 28 at CLE Urban Winery. You can get them at graffiti-heart-graffiti-grapes-fundraiser-tickets.