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The Ohio Art Corridor Is A 132-Mile Road Trip Full Of Fantastic Public Art

The Ohio Art Corridor is a 132-mile stretch throughout southeast Ohio that showcases unique local art.

The road trip is like a drive-thru art gallery, offering tourists an opportunity to visit places off the beaten path and offering locals a place to showcase the art and culture of their region.

The Ohio Art Corridor features art in a variety of mediums, from murals to sculptures. Some of the art already existed before this unique outdoor gallery was launched in 2018 and some of the pieces were built especially for it.

The Hawk Sculpture at Flight Of The Hawk Park. Photo via Visit Fairfield County Facebook

One of the most stunning pieces you’ll encounter on your road trip is the Flight of the Hawk. A massive red-tailed hawk with a 14-foot wingspan sits atop a nest that’s towering 42 feet above the ground.

The sculpture is impressive and I don’t think the scale can be truly appreciated until you see it in person.

The culture is made up of over 3,000 pieces that were cut with a torch and welded in place by local artist Ric Leichliter.

There are giant sculptures like The Flight of the Hawk placed along the corridor in what they refer to as micro parks. The sculptures reflect local history and the natural beauty of the region.

School of Fish was the first piece of art made specifically for this unique public art trail. The artist, David Griesmyer, is also one of the founders of the Ohio Art Corridor. The sculpture features 15-20-foot-long fish, swimming 15 feet in the air along the Muskingum River in MvConnelsville.

Griesmyer co-founded the Ohio Art Corridor with his sister-in-law, Rebekah Griesmyer with the goal of making art accessible to everyone.

In order for an art piece or installation to be included in the Ohio Art Corridor, there are specific criteria that must be met.

The art must be outside and free to access. Stand-alone sculptures need to meet a large size requirement. And finally, if the artwork is smaller than 12 feet, there must be at least three sculptures at the location.

The Ohio Art Corridor is quite an adventure and if you want to enjoy the pieces properly, it’s probably best to plan a few separate trips.

The Human Rights Sculpture Garden in Portsmouth. Photo via The Ohio Art Corridor Facebook

Southeastern Ohio is beautiful to visit any time of year, but if you want the full wow experience, plan this drive in the fall. Between the natural beauty and the stunning artwork, you won’t want the road trip to end. For more information about the Ohio Art Corridor, you can visit their website here.