As part of our summer-long mural exhibit, Artisans at The Arboretum, The Dawes Arboretum is proud to showcase the work of nine talented artists who have brought their creativity to our grounds. In this Meet the Artist series, we’re highlighting the people behind the paint—learning more about their inspiration, process, and what their murals mean to them. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Jeremy Jarvis, whose mural Hope Remains can be found along the Dogwood Trail.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist?
I am a professional mural artist based in Columbus, Ohio, with a lifelong passion for creating meaningful public art rooted in community and connection. My journey as an artist began early—taking private lessons in watercolor and pastel throughout high school, and serving as the art editor for my senior yearbook, where I was honored to paint the cover for my senior year. These formative experiences cemented my love for visual storytelling and set me on a path to pursue art as a career.
After graduating from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2000, I began my professional practice with Kobolt Design Studios, where I gained essential experience in large-scale mural production. In 2010, I completed one of my first solo mural commissions for a Mellow Mushroom restaurant, marking a key turning point in my career.
Not long after, I began working with Harmony Project, where I found deep fulfillment in organizing and leading community-based mural projects. These initiatives brought together volunteers, local residents, and nonprofit organizations to collectively paint murals that celebrated hope, resilience, and civic pride.
My work today balances bold, graphic simplicity with moments of realism, always created with a high level of craftsmanship and care. I’ve collaborated with a wide range of organizations from Disney/ABC and John Legend’s Get Lifted to the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA. With these organizations I have worked to design murals that reflect the spirit of their communities and help revitalize public spaces. Whether honoring local history, supporting social causes, or simply bringing color and joy to a neighborhood, my goal is to use art as a catalyst for connection, conversation, and collective identity.
2. How would you describe your artistic style or the themes you explore in your work?
My artistic style blends bold, graphic compositions with touches of realism at times, designed to be both visually striking, thought provoking, and emotionally resonant. I often use clean lines, vibrant color palettes, and layered symbolism to communicate a message of hope, resilience, and unity. Whether working in a simplified, almost abstract style or a more detailed, representational approach, my focus is always on clarity of message and strength of composition.
Thematically, my work explores the human spirit, community identity, and the power of collective transformation. I’m drawn to stories of perseverance, cultural pride, and the idea that public art can spark connection and conversation. Many of my murals emphasize themes like optimism, education, renewal, and belonging often emerging through collaboration with the people who live in the neighborhoods where the work is created. I aim to create murals that feel uplifting and meaningful, encouraging viewers to reflect, engage, and feel pride in their community
3. What inspired your mural for Artisans at The Arboretum?
My mural titled Hope Remains, was inspired by a combination of personal experience and a few films. About six years ago, my family and I moved to a neighborhood on the edge of suburban development in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, we were surrounded by open fields and trees, but over the years, we witnessed those natural landscapes vanish as construction took over. Watching thousands of trees cut down to make way for apartments and condos deeply affected me. The speed and ease with which the machines erased the trees felt tragic, each one destroyed in seconds, with no chance of return.
This personal grief over the loss of nature was amplified by themes in several science fiction films. In Interstellar, Earth is dying, and humanity must search the stars for a new home. In Dune, trees become rare, sacred symbols of life in a desert world nearly void of water. And in Wall-E, Earth is abandoned—left a barren wasteland where trees and nature no longer exist. These films portray futures shaped by the choices we make today.
This mural is my way of calling attention to the urgency of environmental conservation. It’s a reminder that trees are not just background, they are essential to our survival. Through this work, I hope to inspire viewers to reflect, care, and act, because there is always hope and still time to protect what matters most.
4. Did the location or landscape of The Dawes Arboretum influence your piece in any way?
The location and landscape of The Dawes Arboretum didn’t directly influence the painting of my mural, but it absolutely shaped the experience of creating it. Being surrounded by nature—trees, wildlife, birds, squirrels, and even deer offered a sense of serenity and peaceful calm that deeply supported my creative process. Working in such a beautiful environment reminded me daily of what inspired the piece in the first place: the vital connection we share with the natural world. The Arboretum provided the perfect setting to reflect on those themes while bringing the mural to life.
5. Can you walk us through your creative process from concept to completion?
I had been thinking about this idea for quite some time, so when the opportunity came along, the concept was already taking shape in my mind. The first step was to sketch out a few visualizations and rough drawings that helped me get the core elements of the design onto paper. Once I had the basic composition in place, I began refining it and adding color to bring the idea to life.
After establishing the overall color scheme, I simplified it, reducing the palette to just a few key tones to keep the mural cohesive and easier to execute on a large scale. From there, it became an iterative process of drawing, tweaking, adjusting proportions, and fine-tuning details until I landed on an image that felt right. It was a balance of instinct and intention, and I didn’t stop working the design until it truly captured the emotion and message I wanted to convey.
6. What was the most rewarding or challenging part of working on this project?
It was truly a joy to complete this project from start to finish. Honestly, there wasn’t any part of it that felt particularly challenging—in fact, the entire process felt smooth and fulfilling. The most rewarding part was seeing my design come to life on a larger-than-life scale. There’s something powerful about watching a concept that started as an idea and a sketch in a notebook transform into a full-scale mural. Being able to share the final piece with my family, friends, and fellow artists made the experience even more meaningful. Their support and reactions reminded me why I do this work—to create something lasting, uplifting, and visually impactful that can be experienced together.
7. What do you hope visitors take away from seeing your mural?
I hope visitors walk away from my mural at the Arboretum with a renewed sense of appreciation for the natural world and the urgent need to protect it. I want the artwork to serve as both a reflection and a reminder of the beauty we still have, the damage we risk, and the hope that remains if we choose to act. My goal is for people to feel inspired, not overwhelmed—to recognize that even small steps toward conservation and mindfulness can make a difference. If the mural sparks a conversation, a moment of reflection, or simply encourages someone to pause and truly see the trees around them, then it’s done its job.
8. Where can people see more of your work or connect with you online?
Website: jarvisartstudio.com
Instagram: @jarvjer
Facebook: /JarvisArtStudio
We’re grateful to Jeremy for sharing his time and talent with our Arboretum community. Be sure to see his artwork along the Dogwood Trail during your next visit—and experience how art, nature and history come together in this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Artisans at The Arboretum runs through September 20.