Clean Water Mural Arrives at OCPL

Clean Water Mural Tour Arrives in Wheeling, WV, at the Ohio County Public Library 

WV Rivers Coalition, Logan Schmitt, Wheeling Creek Watershed Alliance, and the Ohio County Public Library Announce Free Community Event

Wheeling, WV - The West Virginia Rivers Coalition's Clean Water Mural Tour continues its journey, arriving at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling, WV, where it will be on display until April 15, 2024.

“We are thrilled to be the first library stop on the Clean Water for All Mural Tour! Local conservationism and clean water are topics that the Ohio County Public Library and its staff are very passionate about, and we are excited to be working with WV Rivers and the Wheeling Creek Watershed Alliance to highlight these important issues,” stated Amy Kastigar, our Library Director.

The library has set up the mural near our main entrance. Our two 8th-grade interns from Wheeling Country Day School have created a book display that will feature a wide, rotating array of books about nature and conservationism and reside beside the mural.

^{Ronan Maxwell and Maria Porter, two student interns at the Ohio County Public Library, created a book display featuring conservation books for all ages.}

Partnering with the Wheeling Creek Watershed Alliance, the WV Rivers is excited to announce a free pop-up event on Monday, March 25, featuring local illustrator Logan Schmitt. 

The mural was created at WV Rivers’ Clean Water for All event commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the 2014 Elk River Chemical Leak with the help of WV mural artist Nichole Westfall. More than 100 people helped to paint it, symbolizing a shared dream of clean water for all across the Mountain State. 

Local illustrator Logan Schmitt expressed his excitement about the event, stating, "I truly love our local rivers and creeks and, along with my friend Nichole, I hope I can help folks gain a new appreciation for the wildlife that make their homes in our waterways through art" 

Heather Sprouse, Ohio River Coordinator at WV Rivers, highlighted the significance of engaging communities along the Ohio River, saying, "The mural's presence in Wheeling is an invitation to join the conversation about how we can all work together to safeguard our waterways. It's about envisioning a future where clean water is a reality for everyone." 

James Wood with the Wheeling Creek Watershed Alliance echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in protecting local water resources, "Rivers and streams cross political boundaries and run through both private and public property, connecting us all. Protecting our rivers and streams today is about safeguarding the future for our children and grandchildren." 

In addition to viewing the mural during regular library hours, the community is invited to join the pop-up event featuring Logan Schmitt's fish drawing lesson. Details for the event are as follows: 

Pop-Up Fish Drawing Lesson with Logan Schmitt & WV Rivers 

• Date: March 25, 2024 
• Time: 5pm to 7pm 
• Location: Ohio County Public Library 
• Details: Join local illustrator Logan Schmitt for a fun and educational fish drawing lesson. Learn about the importance of clean water with WV Rivers while unleashing your creativity! 

Following the mural’s stay in Wheeling, the Clean Water Mural Tour will continue to inspire communities across West Virginia. The next stop is in Monongalia County at the Morgantown Public Library! 

About West Virginia Rivers Coalition: 

The West Virginia Rivers Coalition is a statewide non-profit organization working to conserve and restore West Virginia's exceptional rivers and streams through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Learn more at www.wvrivers.org