The Short North Mural, located on the corner of High Street and Lincoln Avenue in the heart of Columbus OH’s Short North Arts District, attempts to capture the spirit of this creative and quirky area. The Short North is a trendy, thriving strip of galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs nestled between Downtown Columbus and the Ohio State campus.

The Wood Companies, who were the same people who commissioned the area’s ubiquitous “sideways Mona Lisa mural” ten years earlier, commissioned Mike Altman and I to paint a new mural for the Short North in June 2002. Mike and I decided to continue the theme of giving an iconic painting an irreverent twist, this time Grant Wood’s American Gothic. The completion of the mural brought another instant landmark to the area, gathering attention for the nearby galleries and shop owners. Visitors to the Short North’s monthly Gallery Hops can even be found posing for pictures in front of the mural. Mike and I received our fair share of attention as well, being mentioned in every Columbus Alive “Best of Columbus Reader’s Poll” ever since.

Mike and I were glad to have been given the opportunity to contribute to the thriving spirit of this creative and rapidly growing area. Although we have since left Ohio, it is nice to know that we left some of our best work behind.

BEST OF COLUMBUS 2005, 2004, 2005 RUNNER UP FOR BEST PUBLIC ART The Short North Mural was voted runner up for three years in a row from 2003 to 2005 in Columbus Alive reader's poll. Thank you to everyone who voted for our mural.   IN THE SHORT NORTH GAZETTE PICTURED ON THE JANUARY 2005 COVER "The mural that threatened to dethrone Mona Lisa as ruling artwork of the area is the 2002 reproduction of Grant Wood's equally iconic masterpiece American Gothic. Passersby often pose for pictures with this piece with a twist - the woman has been turned on her head. On the corner of Lincoln and High Streets opposite R. J. Snappers, the retro American Gothic is beautifully reproduced by Steve Galgas and Mike Altman, yet makes a statement of its own."- Kaizaad Kotwal View the full article by clicking here!