CINCINNATI—The ball is in ArtWorks’ court to bring a new mural to life in celebration of the Cincinnati Open and its 125 years of tennis history.
Located on the north-facing wall at 838 Reedy Street, in downtown Cincinnati, near Pendleton, the mural features a thrilling tennis match in action on Center Court at the Cincinnati Open. Viewers take on a fan’s perspective of the court, where the intensity of the game matches the vibrant atmosphere of the newly renovated stadium.
Designed by award-winning Illustrator and Print Artist Alison Seiffer, the mural will be created by 16 Apprentices (ages 14–21) and Teaching Artists Sophie Shiff, Tevin Brown, and Dani Pflum. Seiffer, based in Montauk, New York, has had her illustrations appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Popular Science, Consumer Reports and The Wall Street Journal.
The mural will be completed in mid-August and a dedication will be held following the completion of the Cincinnati Open, which takes place Aug. 11–19.
“ArtWorks thrives on community partnerships, and working with the Cincinnati Open is a wonderful opportunity,” said Jill Dunne, ArtWorks’ Senior Director of Marketing & Communications. “We have over 300 murals across our city, each telling a unique story. I love that the mural captures the viewpoint of an excited fan as players exchange powerful serves and volleys. You can feel the energy of the match and the crowd’s enthusiasm. It gets you excited about the heart-pounding action that takes place in Cincinnati every year.”
“The story of the Cincinnati Open spans back to 1899, and we felt it was only fitting to commemorate the rich history of tennis in this community by permanently showcasing the sport downtown through this mural,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports and Entertainment. “Together with ArtWorks, this project epitomizes the spirit of the Cincinnati Open – a vibrant celebration of tennis created by the community for all to see.”
This is the second mural project that ArtWorks has collaborated on with the Open. In 2022, a mural was designed by Jim Tucker and created by ArtWorks’ year-long Mural Studio artists along with tournament attendees throughout the event. The mural was created on a series of panels that was gifted to the tournament.
About the Cincinnati Open
Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 tournament that is proudly supported by cornerstone partners Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Great American Insurance Company, Procter & Gamble, Fifth Third and Kroger. The Cincinnati Open annually welcomes nearly 200,000 fans who come from all 50 states and 40 countries and is seen by more than 126 million viewers in over 192 global markets. In 1974, the tournament began supporting local charities, with the first donations going to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, which remains a tournament beneficiary today. Since then, the tournament has contributed more than $12 million to local charities that work with youth, families, education, health and wellness programs. In late 2023, Cincinnati Open owner Beemok Capital pledged to invest $260 million into site upgrades to improve the fan and player experience while committing to keep the event at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, for 25 years. For more information, visit cincinnatiopen.com.
About ArtWorks
Since 1996, ArtWorks has collaborated with community organizations and residents, businesses, governments, foundations, and nonprofits to create works of art that have helped to define Greater Cincinnati’s global reputation as an arts destination. Its mural program has made Cincinnati the #1 City for Street Art in USA Today’s 2024 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. By employing and training over 3,500 professional artists and engaging 4,000 teens and young adults, ages 14-24, ArtWorks is actively investing in the creative economy. Through job creation that supports local talent and mentorship programs that pair professional artists with diverse teams of young people, their programs foster the development of 21st-century career-readiness skills. ArtWorks has created a vibrant citywide gallery with more than 14,000 public and private art projects over the last 28 years. Among these are more than 300 permanent outdoor murals that contribute to Cincinnati’s rich cultural tapestry, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. ArtWorks partners with Hamilton County and Talbert House for seasonal apprentice funding. It also receives ongoing support from the City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Arts Council, ArtsWave, and individual donors.
