The Great Black Swamp

The Great Black Swamp mural is a symbolic narrative of imagery from this region of fertile farmlands that was once a vast swamp the remains of a receding Lake Erie. Under the direction of artist Adrian Tio, ideas suggested by students from the Bowling Green junior high and high school art classes were incorporated into this visual collage. , The narrative combines composite images of the rural and urban communities within the area of the former swamp. Along with seasonal changes in the landscape, the hands represent those who use the resources of the land to feed and shelter us from the elements, all under the watchful gaze of the spirit of the Great Black Swamp. , With the assistance of Kevin Kennair and Bowling Green State University art students, the mural was applied to the existing brick surface in summer 1994. The project was initiated by Arts Allied-the Bowling Green Community Arts Network- and supported in part by the Downtown Business Association and the Wood County Park District. The artist and his painting crew wish to thank the people and visitors of Bowling Green for their insights and encouragement throughout the project.