Muncie artist commissioned to fill local parks with colorful murals

A Muncie artist is adding color and movement to several Muncie parks, as part of a mural commission from the city.  As IPR’s Ransom True reports, these large pieces are more than just murals for him.

The murals have vibrant colors and graffiti-style letters. (Ransom True / IPR News)

“My son is now 20 years old but we frequented all these parks when he was a kid and we’ve always talked about doing something like this.”

That’s Leonski Crosby.  Previously awarded by the Mayor’s Arts Awards for his work in the community, Crosby now heads a team of creatives painting murals across Muncie’s parks. They’ve already finished projects at McCulloch and Westside parks – graffiti-style with lots of bright colors.

Crosby says these are more than just his work. He oftentimes just does the line work, letting community members and his team have creative liberties with other elements.

Their current project is a public bathroom in Heekin Park, covering the structure’s four walls with vibrant murals that can be seen from the street.

Above all else, for Crosby, these murals are a testament to his ambition and passion.

“I was in a specific unique situation in which I used to be the education director at a place downtown and I struck out on my own to be an artist, kinda do it myself, cause I couldn’t do what I wanted to do from a board room. I had to be in the streets and meeting people and touching peoples’ lives.”

Crosby hopes to continue his mural project under contract with the city of Muncie.  His goal is to get a mural in every park he can.

Ransom True is a news fellow with Ball State Public Media’s Public Media Accelerator student fellowships.

A mural at Heekin Park. (Ransom True / IPR News)

Justin York helps to paint a mural at Heekin Park. (Ransom True / IPR News)