CINCINNATI—LifeCenter Organ Donor Network (LifeCenter) partnered with ArtWorks to create a mural that highlights the critical importance of organ, tissue and eye donation. This collaboration aims to engage and inspire the community, reinforcing LifeCenter’s commitment to inclusivity and generational health.
A public dedication and celebration will be held on Saturday, August 24, 6–8 p.m. at 933 Lincoln Ave., in Walnut Hills. The free event will include a dance performance film by Pones apprentices activating the mural, music, and a chance to learn more about LifeCenter. The mural is located on a wall at Thatcher Flats affordable housing development, by Pennrose, a real estate and multifamily property management company.
The mural serves as a powerful visual reminder of the life-saving impact of organ donation and the importance of registering as donors. Through this partnership, LifeCenter and ArtWorks seek to educate and encourage community members to consider the profound difference they can make by becoming organ donors.
The mural came together this summer thanks to the work of 12 ArtWorks Apprentices and Teaching Artists Michael Thompson and Yordy Cabrera Garcia.
Designed by Cincinnati-based Artist and Muralist Jeni Jenkins, the mural features a strong woman of color, smiling towards the sky. With bright, uplifting colors and dynamic shapes that convey movement and life, the work emphasizes the theme of organ donation. Interwoven into the design are elements such as organs, tissues and eyes, artistically represented with stylized motifs to signify the importance and impact of organ donation.
A powerful quote from double-lung recipient, Jennie Wright, is incorporated into the mural:“Above all else, let love be your legacy.” Wright, a Madisonville resident whose organ donation came from LifeCenter in 2023, embodies the life-changing impact of organ donation. Her words resonate with themes of hope, legacy, and the profound gift of life, reminding us of the transformative power of love and generosity.
About the Artist
Jeni Jenkins (she/her) is a biracial teaching artist and visual activist committed to using art for social change. Influenced by Feminist philosophy and critical social theory, she views art as a tool for resistance and believes in the transformative power of intersectional Feminist art. Her work spans political posters, portrait photography, illustrations, collages, and printmaking, combining text and imagery to challenge injustice and promote new ways of thinking. Jenkins holds a B.S. in Social Science from Boise State University, with minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Fine Art. Jenkins also earned an M.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati and an MFA from the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
About LifeCenter
LifeCenter Organ Donor Network is dedicated to saving, enhancing, and healing lives through organ, tissue and eye donation. By working closely with hospitals, donor families, and recipients, LifeCenter honors the legacy of donors and promotes the importance of donation within the community.
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.
Social Media Handles:
- Instagram: @lifecentercincy @artworkscincy
- Facebook: LifeCenter Organ Donor Network ArtWorks Cincinnati
- Twitter/X: @LifeCenterCincy @ArtWorksCincy
