Travel through either one of Mountain Maryland’s Arts and Entertainment districts, in Cumberland and Frostburg, and you will be met with diverse genres of art in our galleries, theaters, and art spaces. But, did you know that there is a whole collection of art available in open spaces? Explore these incredible works of public art depicting history, honoring life, and celebrating culture in the county and the region.
1. SKIPPER'S VIEW
By Christopher P. Sloan, Arnold d'Epagnier and Bill Dunlap
Board of Education Building, Viewable from the Great Allegheny Passage, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and I-68
Working in collaboration with the Allegany County Public School System Board of Education and local artists, Christopher P. Sloan, Arnold d'Epagnier and Bill Dunlap, this vibrant 100', three-dimensional mural, made with 60 aluminum panels, greets visitors at the gateway to Cumberland on the Great Allegheny Passage trail and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Designed with the movement of cyclists and train passengers in mind, the artists created the piece to be seen from multiple viewpoints so it would change as they move. One of the substrates of composition is geometry, with large circles of hexagonal and pentagonal symmetries, evocative of the wheels of the many forms of transportation that have traveled through Cumberland, affectionately referred to as the Crossroads of America.
2. CENTRE STREET PARKLET MURALS
By Dennis Sherod and Jamison Odone
23 N Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
A four‐panel graphic mural depicting the poem 'Eternity" by William Blake, by artist Jamison Odone, and three Italian‐themed murals, including the Italian restaurant and the Italian countryside, by Dennis Sherod, are emblazoned along the exterior wall of Ristorante Ottaviani in Downtown Cumberland.
3. "WE ARE SWEPT"
By Parris Ashley
13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
This magnificent 8' tall by 200' long heritage mural depicts the evolution of the Cumberland region from the time of the first native peoples to present‐day life, with the stories told in our rivers, roads, rails, and mountains. The mural is organized chronologically, and the interpretive signage next to it gives viewers the brief history behind each scene with accompanying historic images. It is a must‐see for art and history lovers alike.
Photo Courtesy of Allegany Arts Council - Section 5 of the full mural.
4. GREETINGS FROM CUMBERLAND, MD
By Marc Phillips
The Rosenbaum - 118 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, MD
Painted by local artist Marc Phillips, this handcrafted mural features a post card of city landmarks, representing both past and present industry and business that make up the fabric that is Cumberland, MD. The public is invited to visit The Rosenbaum to take photos of the mural, or photograph themselves in front of the mural for social media posting or to send at their discretion.
5. "CLIMB" AND "GLIDE"
By Scott Cawood
New Hope Road, Frostburg, MD 21532 (between the Great Allegheny Passage Frostburg Trailhead and Frostburg Depot)
Completed in 2011 and 2014, two sculptures attempt to capture the consciousness of bicyclists along the Great Allegheny Passage. Made from recycled bike parts, including a wheel that spins in the wind, these sculptures along with others can be viewed when trekking the switchback trail off the Frostburg Trailhead on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. Completed in 2019, the Frostburg Arch by Scott Cawood was installed to complement “Climb” and “Glide” and features a metal archway reflecting the active pursuits of western Maryland that marks the entrance to the sculpture garden and switchback.
6. COAL MINERS MEMORIAL STATUE
By Allen Cotrill
Great Allegheny Passage Switchback - New Hope Road, Frostburg, MD
This brand new immersive memorial honors more than 700 miners who lost their lives in the region’s coal mines from 1838 to 2007.
7. "FROSTBURG IN MOTION"
Sculptures by Frostburg State University students and faculty. Painting by Jules Muck.
Parish Hall Public Parking Lot on 1st Street, Frostburg, MD
A collaboration between Frostburg State University's Department of Engineering and Department of Visual Arts resulted in the upcycled metal sculptures depicting bodies in motion. The sculptures were donated to FrostburgFirst and were installed with assistance from the City of Frostburg Department of Parks and Recreation. Internationally recognized muralist and artist Jules Muck of Muck Rock completed the creative painting on the sculptures.
8. "ANCHORS OF ENDURANCE"
By Marguerite de Messieres and Tsvetomir Naydenov
Saint Michael's Catholic Church Plaza - Main Street, Frostburg, MD
“Anchors of Endurance: A Cartographic Tribute to Brownsville and the Park Ave Community” is a vibrant rendering of the original Brownsville community starting in 1866 and its shifting geographic boundary as residents were displaced over several generations. This public art project reckons with the history of Brownsville, a thriving African American community that was displaced as a result of the expansion of Frostburg State University and land purchases by the State of Maryland.
9. "21532"
By Parris Ashley
9 Broadway, Frostburg, MD 21532
A large mural by Frostburg resident Parris Ashley showcases the many charming aspects of Frostburg, including the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Great Allegheny Passage, Frostburg parks, and Main Street.
Photo by Gerry Snelson