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OSHKOSH, Wis. \u2014 Oshkosh is picking up the paintbrush in a big way. The city will soon have Wisconsin\u2019s largest mural.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n The 1,000-foot-long mural will be installed on the riverfront-facing back wall of the Cummins plant, which is located on High Avenue. It\u2019s expected to pay tribute to the heritage of the area, community and the industry that surrounds it.<\/p>\n Muralist Mauricio Ramirez is the artist behind it. Wisconsinites might recognize him from his 55-foot Giannis Antetokounmpo mural in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n Fans take pictures of a mural of Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo painted on the side of a building Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo\/Morry Gash)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n But he has murals across the U.S., including in Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle and more.<\/p>\n As a Mexican-American with a background in street art, Ramirez said he sees murals as cultural expressions. To him, they are more than just decoration.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why in Oshkosh, his mural will delve into the rich timber and aviation industries, the Oshkosh B-gosh brand, the legacy of Lewis Hine\u2019s photography and some of the innovation happening inside Cummins.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, murals are not just decoration\u2014they are stories cast in color. In Oshkosh, I see many stories: from timber, to factories, to the hum of aviation and machines. My hope is that every walker, cyclist, or visitor on the Riverwalk will feel connected to the past, present, and future of this great place,\u201d Ramirez said.<\/p>\n The project represents the first major investment in a new placemaking initiative started by Discover Oshkosh. The initiative aims to create \u201cmore dynamic public spaces\u201d throughout the city through things like art.<\/p>\n That\u2019s starting with the riverwalk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe often talk about the riverwalk as a mansion with no furniture,\u201d said Discover Oshkosh Executive Director Amy Albright in a release. \u201cWith Mauricio\u2019s vision, we are turning an industrial wall into a vibrant destination, motivating more people to use this asset we\u2019ve invested in and making people feel pride in Oshkosh as they visit by boat or bike!\u201d<\/p>\n Leaders hope it\u2019s the start of a larger vision.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can only hope that this inspirational mural will spur further creative endeavors and partnerships along Oshkosh\u2019s riverfront and throughout our entire community,\u201d said Courtney Lasky, trustee of the JEK Foundation, a partner of the mural project.<\/p>\n Discover Oshkosh said the project is expected to be complete by the end of October. Passerby can watch the project unfold on the river or riverwalk.<\/p>\n