A Sight to Behold

If you’ve even driven on Liberty Street, you’ve seen the work of muralist William Rankins Jr.

His portraits bu Ollie’s Trolley of President Obama, Muhammed Ali, Mayor Mark Mallory, and others are iconic. Sadly, most of Rankins’s work from his years of working in the city have been painted over.

After a stroke and a diagnosis of glaucoma, it seemed as though Rankins’s days as an artist might be behind him. But now Rankins is working with one of Cincinnati's notable up-and-coming artists, Javarri Lewis, on a new mural at 1619 Moore St., set to debut during BLINK.

Rankins is one of the city’s most prolific muralists, but this is Lewis’s first mural. Though Rankins has lost his sight, Lewis is stepping in to assist as they work together on the mural that bears the phrase “Walk by Faith, Not By Sight.”

This collaboration is a nod to the past and gift for Cincinnati's future. Rankins and Lewis will be back together to dedicate the mural the week of BLINK.