One panel of the five recently completed murals in Adams County
WEST UNION, Ohio — Local artist Pamela Kellough has been quite busy this year. If you have noticed a new mural pop up in the West Union area, Kellough was likely behind it.
The Ohio Arts Council decided in 2021 to make an effort to beautify the state with recently received grants. Since then, two large murals and several smaller ones have been completed by Kellough and her husband/apprentice Gary Kellough.
Kellough’s most recent mural is an 18’ x 125’ piece located on the Rent-to-own building on Main Street in Adams County. The mural focuses on the four seasons with each one featuring a different tourist attraction featured in Adams County. A fifth panel was also added that spotlights the Wheat Ridge Amish community.
The first panel depicts the Buckeye Trail and Buzzardroost Rock in the spring. Buzzardroost Rock has been referred to as Ohio’s most spectacular view. The protected area is home to many rare plant species and of course, its namesake, buzzards, frequent the area. The mural includes an outline of Ohio that indicates the entirety of the Buckeye Trail. A limestone formation is featured at the top of the mural with a roosting buzzard in a tree on the right.
The second panel shows a grandfather and his grandson rowing in a boat during summertime at relaxing Adams Lake. In the left-hand corner, a watchful heron stands tall while a mallard swims. The painting of the heron was actually inspired by a photograph taken by local photographer, David Bowie.
The middle panel features the Wheat Ridge Amish community during the fall. The mural includes a barn and a farmhouse combo with clothes hanging on a line. A horse grazes on grass as another horse leads an Amish buggy with a cow looking on.
The fourth panel shows a lovely autumn tree line behind the beautiful Cedar Falls. This mural features a bird-watching couple who are aiming a camera for a perfect picture. A cardinal gracefully glides through the sky.
The fifth and final panel shows a snowy serpent mound and boasts, “There is nothing like it in the world.” The Serpent Mound is the site of an ancient meteor impact. The crater is estimated to be around 300 million years old. The Serpent Mound is thought to have had a spiritual purpose and was crafted by Native Americans. It may have even been used to mark the time since the head of the serpent aligns with the summer solstice and the tail aligns with the winter solstice.
In October of 2021, Kellough and her husband finished a lovely mural depicting flora that is native to Adams County. In November of 2021 a four-panel mural that measures 20’ x 80’ was completed.
The first panel features different local wildlife.
The second panel features a depiction of Nathaniel Massie who is credited with founding the area.
The next panel pays homage to the women who created the Barn Quilt Trail.
The final panel is a patriotic rendering emblazoned with the words, “Welcome to Adams County.”
When it comes to finding ideas for the murals, Kellough says she works closely with her clients. “I just let them talk and express to me what about the town they love.”
She says she takes thorough notes and typically sketches for 2-3 days before sending a sketch to the client. She gives the client the option to change things once the sketch is presented to them stating, “When I walk away it’s theirs.”
Kellough says her main goal in her mural-making is for passersby to stop, get out and look.
