Graffiti HeArt Brings Victor Ving's 'Greetings From' Tour to Cleveland with Ohio City Mural

Just weeks ago, we brought you news of freshly painted murals at Campus International School by local artists Bob Peck and Garrett Weider, courtesy of the new local nonprofit organization Graffiti HeArt. This week, Graffiti HeArt unveils a new public mural project. This time, they’re bringing Victor Ving’s “Greetings From” tour to Cleveland for a special “Greetings From Cleveland” mural in Ohio City.

The mural is being created this week on the south side of the old furniture appliance store at the corner of Chatham and West 25th.

Former NYC graffiti artist Victor Ving and his Ohio-native, professional photographer girlfriend Lisa Beggs have been travelling around the country in an RV and painting murals inspired by vintage postcards in cities such as Canton, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, New York, and now, Cleveland. The mural is made possible thanks to Ohio City and Graffiti HeArt with support from SOLO Block Club and Destination Cleveland.

As a graffiti artist for 15 years, Ving wanted to use his talents to help transform communities. “It’s a great way to introduce graffiti/street art into communities," Ving says

With each new project, Ving tries to work with local artists from each city. One of Ving’s friends and fellow artsts Alex Tang will be assisting Ving with the Cleveland mural. Ving was part of Grafitti HeArt’s first live art mural project at the Gay Games 9; painting an 8 ft by 8 ft mural at Festival Village.

“Several years ago, before Graffiti HeArt was founded, I wanted to hire a graffiti artist to paint a graffiti mural on an interior wall of our home,” Graffiti HeArt founder Stamy Paul says. “I was unsuccessful finding a local artist, and ended up contacting Victor Ving through a "Graffiti For Hire" business in NYC. Rather than flying to Cleveland, Victor helped me commission a local Cleveland artist by the name of Alex Tang who eventually painted an awesome "TREMONT" piece in old school graffiti and Cleveland landmarks in our home. Alex subsequently designed the Graffiti HeArt logo for me.”

The Greetings from Cleveland mural will be revealed during a special dedication ceremony at 5 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 18, in front of the mural. Guests will have an opportunity to be the first to take photographs in front of the completed mural. Brace yourselves, selfies are coming.

Afterward, Graffiti HeArt hosts a BYOB rooftop fundraiser at the Cleveland Hostel to raise money for its art scholarship fund for underserved youth. A minimum donation of $50 is requested to help Graffiti HeArt reach its $5,000 goal. There will be live entertainment on the rooftop including Kaptial A, songwriter, singer and rapper, as well as DJ Lee Majors.

"This past summer, Graffiti HeArt was pleased to sponsor 2 scholarships to the CIA Pre-College program, providing opportunities for two high school students towards CIA's accredited program," Stamy Paul explains. "Graffiti HeArt is supported 100% by volunteers and strives to promote opportunities for graffiti artists through commissioned community projects such as this one in Ohio City.”

Stop by this week to see the mural in progress, and bring your friends to the unveiling this Friday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.

(Graffiti HeArt) graffitiheart.org