COVINGTON, Ky — More than 30 new murals were added across Covington and Cincinnati during this year's BLINK, bringing fresh color and international artistic perspectives to the region. Covington found itself in the international spotlight as artists from around the world brought their talents to The Cov, creating works that will leave a lasting impression on the City's streetscape. The City received fresh paint in six locations across BLINK's footprint, adding to Covington's already vibrant collection of public art.
From Athens, Greece, to Berlin, Germany, to South Africa, this year's artists brought their own styles to walls and buildings throughout the city. Their work reflects the global reach of BLINK and the way public art can transform everyday spaces into opportunities for discovery and connection.
Here's a look at the six new mural locations in Covington and the artists behind them.
Mural Location: Little Matcha | 332 Scott St.
Artist: Gera 1 | Athens, Greece
Gera 1 brought an international perspective to one of downtown Covington's familiar storefronts. Based in Athens, Greece, the artist draws heavily from photography, using textures, reflections, and human presence as the foundation for layered compositions.
Through painting and mixed-media experimentation, Gera 1 transforms imagery into vibrant visual worlds, using color to create movement, emotion, and form.
Mural Location: 106 East Fourth St.
Artist: Willehad Eilers (Wayne Horse) | Netherlands
German artist Willehad Eilers, who works under the name Wayne Horse, brought a distinctive and expressive style to East Fourth Street.
His work blends humor, surrealism, and observations of everyday human behavior. Often exploring the bizarre, uncomfortable, and compelling aspects of contemporary life, Eilers transforms familiar scenes into thought-provoking and sometimes unsettling reflections on modern society.
Mural Location: First District Building | 525 Scott St.
Artist: Polina Soloveichik | Berlin, Germany
With more than 20 years of experience creating murals, Berlin-based artist Polina Soloveichik has made transforming public spaces a central part of her artistic practice.
Through site-specific projects, Soloveichik explores the relationship between art, place, and the people who experience it. Her new mural at the First District building adds another layer of creativity to one of Covington's prominent downtown locations.
Mural Location: U.S. Bank Branch | 602 Madison Ave.
Artist: Elléna Lourens | South Africa
South African artist Elléna Lourens brought a style that draws inspiration from the past while embracing a contemporary aesthetic.
Her work incorporates ancient symbols, patterns, and color schemes, reinterpreting traditional visual elements through a modern lens. The result is an approach to art that explores emotional iconography while creating something that feels both timeless and current.
Mural Location: New City Hall Building | Scott Boulevard
Artist: Chase Melendez | Cincinnati
While several of this year's muralists traveled from across the globe, the new City Hall building received a fresh artistic touch from closer to home.
Cincinnati resident Chase Melendez has developed a personal visual language called "Candy Pop Sci-Fi Abstraction," using vibrant color combinations, sharp geometric forms, and layered compositions to create imaginative visual experiences.
Melendez's work spans painting, object-based surfaces, and immersive installations, with an emphasis on bringing playful energy to public places. The mural adds an artistic touch to the City's new home on Scott Boulevard.
Tobacco Alley Mural Series
Location: Between Electric Alley and Madison Avenue
The sixth new mural location is actually a collection of works. The Tobacco Alley Mural Series brought together an impressive lineup of artists, transforming Tobacco Alley into an expanded canvas for street art.
The project features murals by:
- James Bullough
- Drew Merritt
- Wayne Horse
- Sofles
- Camnut
- Jim Tucker
- Jibe
- Empire Citizens
- Atomik
- HoxxoH
- Pastel
- Anthony Garcia Sr.
With multiple artists contributing to the same space, it celebrates the collaborative and ever-evolving nature of street art.
The six new locations give residents and visitors even more reasons to experience the creativity that makes The Cov unique. BLINK may be over, but these murals will continue to bring color and character to Covington.