“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
Cincinnati Go Metro Mural
Cincinnati Metro commissioned us to create this 46-foot mural at the Anderson's Metro Park & Ride Vantage Apartments celebrates the heart of Anderson and the East Side. Inspired by local landmarks, vibrant Metro colors, and the transition from the suburbs to the city, the design transforms a shared space into a place of pride and connection.
Community was at the heart of the project, with over 125 participants coming together to paint the entire background during the kickoff event. Our professional artists then completed the detailed top layers, bringing the Metro'a community vision to life.
We are proud to have created a piece that truly belongs to the community and honored that the AAC & Anderson Township were named co-recipients of Metro’s 2026 Community Partner Award!
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Summer of 2026, we participated the annual New Richmond Cardboard Boat Regatta, where we put a creative Cincinnati spin on this year’s “250 Years of America” theme. Inspired by Cincinnati’s iconic Flying Pig, we transformed the beloved symbol into “Uncle Ham,” a larger-than-life patriotic pig ready to hit the Ohio River.
The boat was designed and built by our members using cardboard, tape, paint, and plenty of imagination. From his red, white, and blue details to his playful personality, Uncle Ham brought together American pride, Cincinnati culture, and the spirit of community art. The project was as much about the creative process and teamwork as it was about the race—and we were thrilled to bring home THREE AWARDS from the Regatta!
2026 Fourth of July Parade
What an AMAZING holiday weekend! We started a new tradition by combining our Cardboard Boat Regatta project with the Fourth of July Parade to create one seriously fun and patriotic float!
Our artists and community members transformed cardboard, paint, and creativity into an ocean-themed celebration complete with waves, palm trees, a giant pink pig, and plenty of red, white, and blue.
And the creativity paid off—we were voted MOST SPIRITED in the Anderson Parade!
Community Tile Mosaic
The Anderson Art Collaborative brought the community together to create a permanent mosaic installation. Beginning at the Anderson Holiday Fest, community members of all ages painted individual tiles that were combined into a vibrant work of public art celebrating creativity, connection, and the spirit of Anderson. The final installation is hung on Beechmont Avenue in front of Kroger.
Special thanks to Kroger for sponsoring the project, Kipner's Customs LLC for their expertise, and the many AAC volunteers and community members who helped bring this vision to life.
Wandering Monsters Brewing
Mural Contest
Fall 2025, we hosted a local artist design contest in partnership with Wandering Monsters Brewing, inviting artists to submit mural concepts for the brewery’s three exterior garage doors. With only two guidelines—monster-themed and family-friendly—artists of all styles and experience levels responded with imaginative, diverse designs. The community voted on the submissions, and the top three artists were selected to bring their winning concepts to life as large-scale murals on the doors.
The project celebrated local creativity, community participation, and public art that is playful, inclusive, and accessible to all ages.
2025 COLOR DASH
The Anderson Art Collaborative had our first Color Dash in April 2025, a family-friendly event created to help fund our vision for an Art Center in Anderson! At this unique event, YOU become the art as our community dashed or walked through a series of colorful, fun-filled stations.
Everyone's energy, enthusiasm, and support helped turn a fun event into something truly meaningful for our entire community. The Color Dash wasn’t just about the color and excitement—it was about coming together to support our dream of one day having an Art Center in Anderson, and by extension, our mission: to use art as a vehicle to drive creative collaboration and engage local artists and residents in fostering a healthy, vibrant, and inclusive community.
The Potted Palm Mural
Potted Palm, located in the heart of Mt. Washington, is dedicated to bringing the beauty of nature into every home while fostering a strong and connected community. To bring that vision to life, they partnered with Anderson Art Collaborative to design and paint a vibrant mural that celebrates the harmony between nature and creativity.
This colorful piece is more than just a mural—it’s a reflection of growth, connection, and the flourishing spirit of Mt. Washington. We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Potted Palm and share in their mission of creating spaces that inspire and bring people together.
Fourth of July Parade 2025
After coming down from the excitement of our big Color Dash event, Anderson Art Collaborative was thrilled to continue the celebration by participating in our local 4th of July Parade! Walking together gave us the opportunity to share who we are beyond our events—friends, neighbors, and creatives who care deeply about our community. By showing up, we wanted to remind everyone that inclusion and friendship aren’t just words on paper for us—they’re core values we live out in everything we do. It was a joy to see familiar faces, connect with new friends, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness that makes our community shine.
Senior Wellness Expo
We were honored to partner with Anderson's Senior Center for a truly unique and meaningful event. This collaboration allowed us to connect with our senior community and emphasize the powerful message that Art Drives Wellness.
Through interactive sessions, we introduced daily activities designed to stimulate the mind and promote mental strength. It was an inspiring experience to share the joy of creativity while fostering wellness and connection among our senior participants.
FH5K Hula Hoop Weaving
In 2023, we proudly participated in the FH5K fundraising event, where we engaged with our community through an interactive and creative initiative—crafting weaved hula hoops. This collaborative project brought together children and adults, resulting in unique pieces that have since traveled with us to various locations, serving as a tangible symbol of community connection.
By inviting individuals to join us in weaving side by side, we created a space for learning, creativity, and storytelling. This experience highlights our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with our local friends and neighbors, one shared moment at a time.
Fourth of July Parade Float
In 2024, our goal for this float was to highlight our vision for an Art Center in Anderson. To bring this idea to life, we used a variety of art supplies and creative mediums to construct our "building," transforming our concept into a vibrant visual representation.
This project was a first for our group, and the creativity and collaboration it inspired were both exciting and energizing. We hope the final result not only captured attention but truly "WOWed" our community, sparking excitement for the possibilities an Art Center could bring!
Community Chalk Collaborative
Over the past few years at the Anderson Fall Fest, we have proudly showcased local artists while engaging the community through creative activities such as face painting and a large-scale, pre-mapped fall-themed chalk art projects.
Participants of all ages were invited to grab chalk in any color and bring the designs to life. Once the images were filled with vibrant hues, we removed the tape to unveil a stunning collaborative chalk masterpiece—a true celebration of community creativity and shared artistry!
