Local Artists Add Major "POP" of Color to New Veterans Memorial

The metamorphosis of the Westerville Sports Complex (325 N. Cleveland Ave.) into a community destination of note is now further enhanced by “Poppin’ Poppies,” a colorful 16-foot mural adjacent to the new Veterans Memorial (opening soon).

Columbus artist Katrinka Sue Hagovsky says she was walking in her neighborhood when she stumbled upon a patch of beautiful red poppies, which inspired her to recreate the scene in her signature cubist watercolor style. Soon after, the painting was up for sale at an art show attended by Westerville Parks and Facilities Development Administrator Laura Ball. It was then the idea for the mural was planted.

“The Veterans Memorial project team thought ‘Poppin’ Poppies’ would make the perfect complement to the new memorial space because of the flower’s symbolic representation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle,” said Ball.

Ball asked Hagovsky how she’d feel about seeing her watercolors transformed into a mural.

“To tell you the truth, I actually cried. I was so delighted,” said Hagovsky. “It is such an honor.”

Ball handed the responsibility of scaling the work to Columbus-based muralist Adam Hernandez. For five evenings in June, Hernandez and assistant Anna Van Walsen set to work projecting the painting onto a wall, then carefully tracing Hagovsky’s lines with construction crayon. Next, the artists used spray paint and brush strokes to recreate the mural.

“I was absolutely amazed; Adam did such a fabulous job,” said Hagovsky. “He just really got the painting perfectly.”

Hernandez says this was his first time collaborating with another artist in this way. He called the experience a “very rewarding challenge.”

“This was an awesome learning experience, collaborating with another artist, learning new techniques and helping benefit the community,” said Hernandez.

He documented the process of creating the mural via a video and photos on his Instagram page, @ahernandezart.

Watercolor artist Katrinka Hagovsky holds her original painting, “Poppin’ Poppies” in front of the mural it inspired at the Westerville Sports Complex.

Artist Adam Hernandez uses a ladder to paint the 16-ft. mural inside the rotunda at the Westerville Sports Complex.

Experience all of the public art Westerville has to offer. Visit www.westerville.org/arts to access a map and enjoy a tour of the City’s murals, monuments and sculptures.