ASHLAND — It’s hard to miss the city’s newest downtown art installation.
Troy Freeman, owner and lead artist of FreeSky Studios, created the vibrant new mural at the corner of Union and Third streets near downtown Ashland. FreeSky Studios is a professional mural and sign painting business founded by Freeman, who resides in central Illinois, according to the business’ website.
He has more than 20 years of experience and his work is featured throughout the country.
The city collaborated with the Leadership Ashland Class of 2026, as well as the property owners of the building the mural is being painted on, to bring the project to life. It includes a script “Ashland County, Ohio,” hot air balloons and The Ashland Theatre, among other scenery set in front of a colorful and vibrant sunset.
The mural was made possible through fundraising completed by this year’s Leadership Ashland class.
A small, modern green space has been installed in front of Freeman’s artwork, including fresh pavement, benches, planters, hedges and a flagpole. String lights stretching from the mural and covering a portion of the green space are also planned.
City officials, community members and the Leadership Ashland Class of 2026 gathered Tuesday afternoon to dedicate the space. Additionally, Rachel Schaefer of Sen. Jon Husted’s office and NAME provided commendations to the class.
Mural is a reflection of leadership
Matt Eshleman, Leadership Ashland class representative, said the project centered around collaboration and community.
The idea for the mural originated from Explore Ashland, he said.
“As a class, we knew we wanted to create something meaningful for Ashland County, but the path to get there changed many times,” Eshleman said. “The design, location and artist changed, among many other things.
“But that’s what leadership is about. It’s not about having all the answers. Leadership is about having clear purpose and being willing to adapt as you move along.”
This year’s Leadership Ashland class provided its ideas, and the city and building owners shared feedback and perspective — as did Freeman.
“Each voice added a layer to the process and at times, those layers made it a little bit difficult,” Eshleman said. “But it also made it better.
“The truth is, leadership is not about getting everybody on the same page and to agree about everything. It’s about people believing in a common vision, even when every suggestion can’t be included.”
Eshleman thanked all the sponsors who helped bring the project to life, including:
- Mechanics Bank
- Armstrong
- Bendon
- Ashland Monument Co.
- Directions Credit Union
- Explore Ashland
- Park National Bank
- RNI
- Ann and Matt Cole
- James and Pamela Gribben
- Main Street Bank
- Mt. Vernon Estate Event Center
- Jeffery and Jenna Steiner
- Ball Bounce and Sport
- Ashland Balloon Rides
Ashland’s mural is unique among Freeman’s work
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said the mural is unique compared to the 40 to 50 others Freeman has completed specifically for communities, cities and counties across the country.
“He (Freeman) said, without question, ours is one of the best that he has done, one of the ones he’s most proud of and shares with so many people,” Miller said.
Freeman told the mayor it’s the first nighttime scene he’s ever done, which allowed the artist to use richer colors. It’s also the only mural he’s worked on that involved a three-dimensional element, using the art as a start to a public gathering space.
Miller thanked the Ashland County Community Foundation for partnering with the city to outfit the green space, as well as Willo’dell Nursery. He also highlighted Morris Sign Studio for supplying the hot air balloon sign which expands the mural past the building’s roof.
“When it was first done, a lot of people thought we were harming the artist’s artwork by putting that three-dimensional balloon on it,” Miller said. “It’s important for people to know, that was Troy’s (Freeman’s) idea. That was the artist’s idea.”
The mayor also addressed the giving up a few parking spots to install the green space.
He said the parking lot behind the building the mural is on is owned by the city. He hopes next year to freshly pave and stripe the lot, adding more spaces than those lost.
Mural adds to city’s placemaking
Kaylee Billinghurst, communications and community engagement manager for Explore Ashland and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Leadership Ashland class for bringing her/Explore Ashland’s idea to fruition.
“The efforts to bring this project to life have not gone unnoticed,” Billinghurst said. “You have left the city with a little piece of you, something beautiful for everyone to see, enjoy and admire for years to come.
“Thank you for believing in the vision and most importantly, great job.”
Amy Daubenspeck, president of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of placemaking in a community.
“You just started a legacy right here for years to come for people to enjoy, visitors and citizens alike,” Daubenspeck said.
Photos by Hayden Gray
