New Steubenville mural is celebrated

STEUBENVILLE -- City officials celebrated the final addition to their newest mural, a QR code that visitors can scan to find out more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the people who were part of it.

The artist, Kyle Holbrook, joined Steubenville Visitors Center Director Judy Bratten and Historic Fort Steuben President Jerry Barilla at Tuesday's unveiling, held in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The mural, located off Court Street across from the courthouse, features the famed explorers as well as key players in the expedition, including Sacajawea and York, a skilled frontiersman and the first African American to cross the continent.

Barilla called it a "true example of American democracy -- two white guys with a female, and a Black male. The decisions were made by all of them."

"It was democracy in its early stages," he added. "We're so fortunate to be part of that history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition."

Barilla gave a lot of credit to local entrepreneur Steve Vukelic, who he said not only granted permission to use his building but contributed to its funding.

Holbrook, fresh from several mural-painting assignments in Paris for the Olympics, said he spent two hours "immersed" in the City of Murals project when he first visited Steubenville, riding around on a bike, "and the first people I spoke to were Jerry Barilla and Judy Bratten. What are the odds of that?"

Holbrook said he went home and started researching the Lewis and Clark Expedition and "the key figures who were often overlooked in traditional accounts."

The mural honors the monumental Lewis and Clark Expedition, a historic journey that was instrumental in the formation of the United States. Meriwether Lewis stopped in Steubenville on his way from Pittsburgh, and the city is now part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Holbrook expanded the narrative to include key figures who were often overlooked in traditional accounts, and said while he was in Paris he "engaged in discussions" about the mural's significance, emphasizing the historical connection to King Louis XVI, who facilitated the sale of the land to America. The mural also highlights York, an African American slave whose role was crucial in forging relationships with Indigenous peoples, and Sacajawea, a Native American woman whose guidance was vital to the expedition's success.

A map indicating the route is also included in the mural.

"I've painted murals in 43 countries and 49 states, but Steubenville holds a special place in my heart," he said. "It's a second home to me. This mural is a tribute to the real Americans who shaped our nation through collaboration and exploration. I'm honored to be part of Steubenville's rich tradition of murals and hope to contribute even more in the future."

The City of Murals project, begun in 1986, now has 24 murals, and Bratten said they can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000.

"It's a big investment for our city but it brings in people," she said. "We really benefit from this public art."