Chillicothe — The latest downtown mural was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, even though it has been attracting selfies for 2 1/2 weeks. The retro-styled giant postcard on the side of the Chamber building uses the latest technology…and has its own hashtag.
Free T-shirts, ice cream cups, stickers, and a group selfie were part of the event on September 18th at the side of 45 East Main Street in Chillicothe.
Mike Throne, President and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, said he helped select components and design the mural, along with local photographer Gunner Barnes.
But the big production was by Marco Chavez, owner of “Square Ghost Creative.” He created the “vinyl wrap” made up of printed panels that are heated and glued to the wall – which is also removable with heat. He also produced another downtown mural, for Ohio University, in the Paint Street alley across from Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop.
Chavez said his family is from Mexico, and they came to Ohio 15 years ago, then moved here 10 years ago. He said his wife’s family is from Chillicothe. After his family vacationed here, the realized they love Ohio, and that it is “such a green place.”
Chavez said Square Ghost Creative was a “side hustle” since 2021, but it became full-time last year. He said the unusual name was suggested by his children, and the catchy name is doing its job.
Watch the ribbon cutting and hear Chavez in his own words in the below video. The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce has a website, Facebook page, X / Twitter account, and YouTube page.
(And yes, the October 18th, 1796 postmark date can be improved – I’m helping Chavez with a more meaningful date…probably April 1st, when founder Nathaniel Massie led his corps to start surveying the town site.)
