About

The Mural

Learn more about the vision and the team behind the making of the mural.

The Imagery


Renowned for his vivid portraits and signature camouflage backgrounds, Gabe Gault is an artist whose work embodies his guiding principle—“blending in and standing out.”

Gault often weaves elements of flora and fauna into his paintings as powerful symbols and storytelling devices. Among his favorite motifs are sunflowers, long regarded in art and literature as emblems of hope, faith, and good fortune. Like the sunflower that faithfully follows the sun across the sky, Gault’s work reflects perseverance, optimism, and light.

The Wild Sunflower (Sun Choke)

Beyond its symbolism, the sunflower holds deep historical meaning in this region. The wild sunflower—or Sun Choke—was a vital crop for Indigenous peoples, sustaining communities for generations.

Raised in a matriarchal family, Gault draws inspiration from the strength and grace of the women who shaped his life—his mother, sister, and grandmother. Their influence is reflected in the portraits featured on the silos, paying tribute to both his family and the first farmers of this land: Native American women and children.

The Portraits

The portraits featured on the silos honor the original agriculturalists of this region—Native American women and children who once cultivated the vast cornfields stretching along the Maumee River from Toledo to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Artist Gabe Gault, inspired by the strength and guidance of his mother, sister, and grandmother, celebrates those same qualities in the women depicted here.

The models featured represent three Tribal Nations: The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, The Shawnee Tribe, and the Dakota Tribe. By portraying living members of these communities, the artwork powerfully reinforces that Native Americans are not figures of the past, but vibrant, thriving people of today. Many Tribes with ancestral ties to this region were forcibly relocated west of the Mississippi in the mid-19th century, yet their cultural legacy endures.

The portraits incorporate a blend of modern clothing and traditional jewelry inspired by the Indigenous peoples of the lower Great Lakes. This balance symbolizes continuity—honoring history while celebrating the living cultures that carry those traditions forward. Each model is a citizen of their Tribal Nation, representing a lineage that remains deeply connected to heritage, identity, and community.

The Glass City River Wall team extends heartfelt gratitude to the Native American collaborators and the Myaamia Center at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, for their invaluable insight, guidance, and support throughout this project.

The Crew

The Glass City River Wall stands as a testament to the talent and dedication of a remarkable team of artists. Under the direction of muralist Gabe Gault, a crew of local and regional artists brought the design to life, transforming towering silos into the largest mural in the United States. Each artist was selected for their skill, enthusiasm, and connection to the project—reflecting the depth of creativity within the region’s art community.

Contributing Artists:
Will “WC” Bevan (Detroit, MI)
Connor “ConTron” Degnan (Toledo, OH)
Kelly Golden (Detroit, MI)
Craig Hejka (Detroit, MI)
Shaina Kasztelan (Detroit, MI)
Kodi Kolinski (Toledo, OH)
Yusuf Lateef (Toledo, OH)
Tayler Meinen (Toledo, OH)
Chris “Chilly” Rodriguez (Toledo, OH)
Dean Davis (Toledo, OH)
Eric Henn (Franklin, OH)

Crew Chief – Dean Davis
Toledo artist Dean Davis led the installation process, serving as the project’s driving force. A seasoned muralist, tattooist, and airbrush artist, Davis also brings a background in architectural restoration, ensuring both artistry and precision throughout the project.

Lead Muralist – Eric Henn
Award-winning international muralist Eric Henn brought over 30 years of experience to the team. Based in Franklin, Ohio, Henn is known for his large-scale, hyperrealistic works and his specialized expertise in painting on conical surfaces such as water towers—and now, Toledo’s iconic grain silos.

The Steering Committee

Beckett Baither, Communica

Lisa Baer Dewhirst, Eastman & Smith

Jason Boyer, ADM

Nicole LeBoutillier, Urban Sight

Christina Kasper, Kiki Consulting

Nathan Mattimoe, The Arts Commission

Susan Ream, Independent Fine Art Professional

Brooke Schlageter, Partners in Education of Toledo

Valerie Thompson, ProMedica

Kerry Wellstein, Create Art Studio & Workshop

Brandy Alexander-Wimberly, Tandemtide

Together, this talented group of people transformed an ambitious vision into a powerful public artwork that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community pride.

The Artist

A Southern California native, Gabe Gault spent his formative years in Venice Beach where creativity, popular culture, and its colorful residents made a lasting impression. A reading disability caused him to turn his full attention to art as a way to express himself and explore his identity as a Black American. 

His current work employs classical painting techniques with modern subjects, with a particular focus on individuals dedicated to making a positive difference in our culture. His works often feature backgrounds with juxtaposing urban camouflage pattern and classical flora used as a story telling device. Much of his work showcases his intense passion and love for positive activism, which inspires him artistically, mentally, and spiritually. 

When it came to the Glass City River Wall mural project, Gault knew that his art could tell a powerful story for Toledo. “I want to tell a story that is colorful, bold, simple and readable,” he said. “My objective is to offer both an origin story, which honors the original farmers of the region, as well as providing an inspirational image for the future: a cornucopia of abundance and prosperity which speaks to ADM’s corporate governance and philanthropic contributions.” 

Notable works of Gabe Gault include: murals for the legendary Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Complex magazine, Nike and Nike Air. Commissions for the NAACP, Will and Jada Smith Foundation, UCLA’s Centennial “100 Years of Activism”, AMEND (13th Amendment) for Netflix, The Tommie Smith Youth Athletics Foundation, and ACLU of Southern California. 

For more information on Gault and his work, visit WWW.GABEGAULT.COM
or find him @GABEGAULT on Instagram.

The Paint

Tnemec Company, Inc. is a privately-owned manufacturer with a strong focus on developing innovative coating technologies designed for projects that demand extra protection. Established in 1921 and celebrating over 100 years in business, Tnemec produces more than 250 coatings suited for a wide range of substrates, conditions, and environments, earning the trust of specifiers and applicators worldwide.

The company emphasizes rigorous performance testing, using advanced equipment to ensure each product can withstand environmental challenges such as corrosion, UV exposure, and abrasion. For this project, Tnemec provided two coatings that are both low VOC and water-based, offering safer, easier application without compromising on durability or performance. Supported by local representatives across the United States, Tnemec delivered technical expertise and guidance at every stage of the project.

Destination Toledo
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.