Artist Ariel Vergez is breathing new life into Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood through his vibrant murals, as part of a transformative citywide arts program. The spray-paint muralist has received nearly $400,000 from the city of Cleveland to mentor local artists and create 10 stunning murals throughout the community, with his latest work taking shape on Walton Avenue as part of the ambitious Art Garden project.

For Vergez, art isn't just a profession—it's essential to his very existence. "For me, art is breathing, so it's something that I have to do," he explained. "If I'm not doing art, I'm suffocating." This passion drives his commitment to the Clark-Fulton community, where he aims to celebrate the neighborhood's resilience through powerful visual storytelling.

The Art Garden project represents much more than simple beautification efforts. According to Vergez's official statement, the initiative is "transforming Storer Avenue and adjacent Near West communities into a vibrant Art Garden." The comprehensive project merges murals, sculptures, and green spaces to authentically reflect the cultural essence of Clark-Fulton. Through community training programs and deep local partnerships, the project symbolizes genuine investment in creativity, neighborhood pride, and long-term revitalization.

Local artist Priscilla Florian, who is also involved in the project, expressed the community's cautious optimism. "I think that as with a lot of people in this neighborhood, we just hoped things would get brighter," she said, reflecting the shared desire for positive change that the Art Garden project aims to fulfill.

The Clark-Fulton initiative is one of seven art projects receiving support through Cleveland's City Transformative Arts Fund, which has allocated nearly $3 million to revitalize the local arts community. This substantial investment comes at a crucial time for Cleveland's creative sector, which has struggled significantly in recent years.

"This is really about recovering and helping the artist economy rebuild and scale back," explained Rhonda Brown, Arts and Culture Advisor for the City of Cleveland. "The impact of the pandemic was really rough on our artist community, because many of them are self-employed...all of that revenue stopped for almost 3 years." The funding represents a critical lifeline for artists who have faced unprecedented challenges.

Vergez's current mural on Walton Avenue showcases his innovative approach to public art. The piece is part of a literature-inspired series that demonstrates remarkable creativity and intellectual depth. "We've converted famous literature books inspired by their covers and created letters out of them—glyphs—so we call them lit glyphs," Vergez explained, describing how classic literary works are being transformed into striking visual elements.

The artist's vision extends far beyond the current Art Garden project. He has ambitious plans for the entire Clark-Fulton area, having identified thousands of potential canvases throughout the neighborhood. "There's 5,627 houses and buildings from 25th to 65th and Lorain to Denison," he said. "I think a third of them should get painted." This expansive vision reflects his deep commitment to transforming the community through art.

Vergez hopes to complete his current Walton Avenue mural within the next two weeks, but his dedication to the neighborhood's artistic transformation won't end with the Art Garden project. He welcomes others who share his passion for artistic expression, saying, "Those that want to breathe and sleep painting, I welcome them to it."

The community will have the opportunity to celebrate these artistic achievements at an upcoming event. The city of Cleveland will host a community celebration to mark the completion of the Art Garden project on Saturday, September 6th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event will provide residents and visitors with the chance to experience the transformed neighborhood and appreciate the collaborative efforts that have made this artistic vision a reality.