Internationally known artist transforms two bridges of utility into ones of artistry

The Pizzuti Companies in partnership with Haslam Sports Group have completed work on their first art installation at Astor Park. Commissioned for the initial effort was internationally recognized artist, Alex Dodge.

The two bridges located on Nationwide Boulevard at the gateway into Astor Park served as a canvas for Alex Dodge’s mural work, and a catalyst for Astor Park becoming one of the next great art destinations in Columbus. Pizzuti and Haslam Sports Group envisioned artwork that created a sense of inclusion and a feeling of togetherness that would transcend throughout the neighborhood.

A vision authored by Dodge, the east side bridge facing Nationwide Arena will display a painted mural of “Join our Crew”, and the west side bridge facing Astor Park will display a painted mural of “All Together Now”, showcasing pillow like lettering of assorted colors and patterns. The interior sides of each bridge will also be painted and feature an appearance from “Roger”, a character pulled from Dodge’s Roger Sitting, an oil and acrylic painting created by the artist in 2020.

The painting of these bridges signifies the commencement of Astor Park’s curated art program, a program which delivers on The Pizzuti Companies commitment to Living with Art and the sense of community it fosters. Over the past 50 years, the growth of The Pizzuti Companies and the Pizzuti family Collection has been inherently tethered, and the Pizzuti family’s connectivity to the art community has made artwork more accessible, as not to be restricted to the traditional museum or gallery. Parking garages, residences, and building facades can all function as canvases for cultural immersion, a quest in which Astor Park’s art program will most certainly deliver. The installation of the artwork was completed by Stingray Studios, Inc., a Columbus based creative consulting group who have painted murals for world renowned brands such as Prada, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Bath & Body Works.

Represented by the Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery in New York, Alex Dodge splits his time between Brooklyn and Japan and has gained an international following. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. He is the recipient of the 2016 Japan U.S. Friendship Commission Creative Artist Exchange Fellowship.

“We are thrilled to have Alex as our first contributing artist for Astor Park’s art program,” said Joel S. Pizzuti, President and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies. “We worked closely with Joseph Editions on the initial inspiration and wanted the bridges to create a sense of belonging for those that live and work in the community, as well as those visiting Astor Park. We’ve assembled an incredibly talented group of local and regional artists whose works will be part of the public sphere. We look forward to sharing our commitment to Living with Art for years to come in the Astor Park neighborhood.”

Experience more of Alex Dodge’s artwork now on display in the second-floor mezzanine of The Joseph Hotel in Columbus featuring his signature layered and textured paintings. The artwork at The Joseph Hotel is open to view unless closed for a private event.

Pizzuti is meeting with the Columbus Art Commission to propose an Ohio-based artist for the next artwork.

The neighborhood of Astor Park is a mixed-use rarity where multi-family living, class-A offices, a riverfront park, ground-floor retail, and world class sports come together. As home to the Columbus Crew’s new modern stadium Lower.com Field, Astor Park is for those who seek an active, balanced, urban lifestyle where they can live with a curated art collection featuring works of both established and emerging artists from around the world.

To learn more about Astor Park visit: www.astorparkcolumbus.com.