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Welcome to the Public Art tour in Downtown Canton! You will begin your tour at Downtown Canton’s Arts in Stark building, a half century old institution here in Stark County dedicated to bringing local artists and communities together with art and local events. While the tour will take place in Downtown Canton, Arts in Stark has worked with organizations all over Stark County to bring up its communities, culture, and local artists. Including but not limited to the Canton Ballet, Massillon Museum, Cultural Arts Center, Canton Symphony Orchestra, and the Canton Palace Theatre.
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The second piece for The Eleven public art project for Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, Red Grange Turns Pro commemorates Chicago Bulls player Harold “Red” Grange. Grange was one of pro football’s big gate attractions in 1925 when he dropped out of the University of Illinois to play for the Chicago Bulls.
The Canton Palace Theatre dates back to 1926, and was a gift to the community of Canton by local entrepreneur Harry Harper Ink. At the time of it's opening, Canton was alive with 1920s' roaring culture of dance, post-prohibition partying, and nights out on the town. Big Bands would play there often in the 1930s and 1940s, perhaps the beginning of the music scene in Downtown Canton.
Centennial Plaza is a central public area in Downtown Canton made for citizens of the downtown to centralize and gather during events like First Friday, parades, the farmers market, and festivals. Resembling a giant football, the public space has been apart of the Downtown scene only since 2019, but is still central to the public.
Not far from Centennial Plaza lies one of the most iconic public pieces in Downtown Canton, Tommy Morgan's Polypus, a large green cephalopod. The sculpture/mural hybrid was made to capture the eyes of visitors to Downtown Canton, and capture it does. The legs stretching out of the windows and the eyes of the creature eyeing Centennial Plaza are a sight to behold.
Another iconic piece of art by Tommy Morgan, the “Three Faces” or masks were added to Canton in 2009. Paid for by Tim Belden, Bob Timken, the Canton Development Partnership and ArtsinStark, the piece has been overlooking the Arts District for nearly twenty years now. The Shattered Expressions are a part of a much larger goal for the Arts District to bring attention to the art culture in Downtown Canton and to also create discussion to local artists.
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Another piece from The Eleven art project is The NFL Draft (1936), five bronze statues commemorating when the idea of selecting college football players through a draft process was thought about by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell. The piece was created and designed by artist Gail Folwell and brought to be displayed in its current place in 2015.
In downtown Canton's Music Block, you will find the well-known Greetings From Canton mural, another such mural that is as well associated with downtown Canton as the Polypus and the Faces. Painted by a travelling duo, half of the duo being from Canton herself, the mural displays the sights not just of Downtown Canton, but all of the Canton area.
In between the grungey Buzzbin and the classy Fronimo’s lies another iconic piece of the Downtown, which is only four years old at the time of this tour. Done by a local artist which has done many other murals in the past, this mural especially has gained popularity for its location on the music block and its memorability.
George’s is the second oldest operating bar in Downtown Canton, following only Brewster’s in age. The Lounge opened in 1959. It wasn’t until 1979 when the bar moved from Piedmont to its current location on Cleveland Ave. Known for live music, burgers, beer, and an all around good time, the Lounge is loved by Cantonites well-acquainted with Downtown.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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From the art district and plethora of art studios, as well as Arts in Stark, Downtown Canton is proud of their artistic touch! And with this tour you can learn more about pieces that are within walking distance in Little Chicago!
