Riparian Arts Project

Began in 2016, Riparian Arts Project is currently a series of installed and in-progress works of public art inspired by historical folklore drawn from the Great Lakes region.

Riparian refers to something that is “Inhabiting, or situated on the bank of a river (or body of water).” The stories, tall tales, fables, old chestnuts that inspire these images largely connect with the cultural and natural environs of the peninsular state of Michigan and its city of the straights.

“Spirits of the Springs" mural is part of a larger public art project for the City of Detroit’s City Walls Viaduct Beautification Initiative. The viaduct is located on Vernor Highway where Springwells Village and Mexicantown-Southwest Detroit meet. Artist Vito Valdez and his assistants will be connecting this to other paintings that are taking shape further down the wall to complete the full project.

"Belle Isle (The Hog and the Rattlesnake)" public painting was commissioned by Art in Woodbridge. The 8' x 4' painting was completed in Spring '18 and is installed on an exterior wall of a house in Woodbridge, Detroit Historic District.

“St. Patrick’s Trout” public painting was commissioned by Art in Woodbridge. The 6' x 4' painting was completed in Fall '17 and is installed on an exterior wall of a house in Woodbridge, Detroit Historic District.

“Le Griffon Ghost Ship” public painting was commissioned by Art in Woodbridge. The 6' x 4' painting was completed in Winter '18 and is installed on an exterior wall of a house in Woodbridge, Detroit Historic District.

“The Toad on Horseback” public painting was commissioned by Art in Woodbridge. The 8' x 4' painting was completed in Spring '17 and installed on an exterior wall of a house in Woodbridge, Detroit Historic District.

The “Legend of the Lake Whitefish” Murals were commissioned by Art In Woodbridge. The two connecting 7' x '17 murals were painted on garage doors in Woodbridge, Detroit Historic District in fall ‘16. *Above photograph by Cass Padula Photography.