Скачать или смотреть Stunning Short North murals grace sides of new hotel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just when you thought Columbus' Short North Arts District couldn't get any more colorful, a new, public artwork is on display. One that's painted on the north and south sides of the new Graduate Hotel on High Street.

Each work is eleven stories tall.

California based artists Ryan "Yanoe" Sarfati and Eric "Zoueh" Skotnes were commissioned to create the permanent public art work. "It took us about two and a half months to prepare for this, breaking everything down, sizing it, scaling it, picking all the colors," said Sarfati.

The project, called The Journey, has used 95 gallons of latex paint, and more than 1200 cans of spray paint.

"When you're up there, all you see is an abstract shape," said Sarfati. "So, you're not really painting an image, you're painting an abstract shape that, when you get down, is part of the image. That's the hardest part- you don't really know what you're painting until you get down."

The artists said the work is a tribute to the immigrants who've come to Columbus, who go through a lot to get here. It's also a nod to Columbus' growing Somali population. Hodan Mohammed, the CEO of the non-profit "Our Helpers" is featured on the northside mural holding a house. "If I can hold this non-profit organization, I think I can hold a building too," she laughed.

Mohammed started the non-profit back in 2012. It helps immigrants overcome social and economic obstacles through advocacy, education and job placement. Mohammed said she started by helping one woman and has since helped more than 4,000 people.

The artists say the mural's message is that Columbus is a city of opportunity and abundance, a special and diverse place that welcomes one and all.