william córdova: constellation (rumi maki) with ArtWorks Cincinnati

constellation (rumi maki) is a transformative mural project led by internationally renowned artist william córdova and ArtWorks Cincinnati . This mural of shared heritage and cross-cultural understanding represents a first collaboration between ArtWorks, a national leader in large-scale murals and employment programs for young artists, ages 14-24, and Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park. The mural is installed on a prominent wall of the Playhouse’s Scene Shop, located in Cincinnati’s historic Walnut Hills neighborhood, whose rich cultural tapestry perfectly complements the spirit of constellation (rumi maki). córdova’s collage-inspired design interweaves influences from Andean textile traditions, the quilts of African American women in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and the beadwork of the Shawnee, Myaamia, and Osage communities that once inhabited the region now known as Cincinnati. The mural was officially inaugurated with a public dedication ceremony on August 25, 2025. 

constellation (rumi maki) was selected as one of nine public mural projects to receive the 2025 Abbey Mural Prize from the National Academy of Design. Juried by artist and architect members of the National Academy, the annual award supports the production or restoration of public murals across the United States. The jury selected public art initiatives that focused on the restoration of two large-scale murals damaged by vandalism and natural disasters, as well as the creation of new public works and mixed-media installations with and about the local communities in which they’re situated, reflecting an expansive view of America today.