LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The city of Louisville has chosen an artist to paint the city’s first flood wall mural, welcoming visitors to Waterfront Park’s expanded site.
After a thorough review of submissions, the Louisville Commission on Public Art selected Laurie Blayney to produce artwork on a section of flood wall at 10th and Rowan Streets. The flood wall will serve as the entrance to Waterfront Park PlayPort, which is the first section of the Phase IV westward expansion to be constructed.
“Waterfront Park is a source of pride and energy for our city, and we are working to ensure this is an inviting space for all,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville. “Art in public space creates a more welcoming, safer and healthier environment for all of our residents. I’m excited to see how these murals will add vibrancy and color to our city.”
Blayney’s plan is inspired by the Ohio River and its role in Louisville history from the first settlements to today.
“I am honored to be chosen as the artist for this mural at the new phase of Waterfront Park, one of my favorite views in Louisville,” Blayney said. “This mural will not only reflect the natural beauty of our city but also weave in oral histories and stories of lost communities, sharing the rich, often overlooked narratives that have shaped Louisville. It’s a true privilege to embed my love for this city into something that will be a part of it for years to come. A heartfelt thank you to Metro’s Office of Arts and Creative Industries, Waterfront Development and MSD for coming together to make art a part of the park experience.”
Blayney presented a design that will guide viewers through a history of the city’s earliest homes and industry. The design also incorporates depictions of fish, birds, animals and plant life native to the area. She proposed interactive elements where visitors can access oral histories.
“The design reflects on the connection between the natural environment, civic infrastructure and social landscape of the specific site over time,” said Jessica Bennett Kincaid, director of the Office of Arts + Creative Industries.
Blayney’s design was chosen after a lengthy process that began when the Office of Arts + Creative Industries announced the historic agreement with Louisville MSD to paint a floodwall mural in July 2024. This is the first such project in Louisville. Waterfront Park is matching financial support for the pilot project.
Work on the flood wall is expected to begin in the coming weeks and will take about two months to complete once painting starts. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the first section of the Phase IV expansion will be March 26.
