by Brooke Hawkins

When traveling west along 3rd Street, drivers can feel as though they are simply passing through. The new 3rd Street Dancing Cs mural changes that, transforming a busy corridor into a point of arrival for Downtown Columbus.

Created by artist Samual Crawford, 3rd Street Dancing Cs brings color, rhythm, and energy to one of downtown’s most visible entry points. The mural was created using spray paint and large-scale C stencils. At first glance, the pattern feels playful and spontaneous, but each C was intentionally placed at night using a projected design, creating a composition that is both lively and precise.

The image itself carries deep meaning in Columbus. The Dancing Cs were originally created by legendary designer Paul Rand in 1974 for what is now Visit Columbus. Over time, they have become an enduring symbol of the city’s identity: welcoming, well-designed, and a little playful. What better image to welcome people to Downtown?

The idea for this location has its own history. In 2017, Thirst Design, led by design icon Rick Valicenti, reimagined the Dancing Cs as part of a neighborhood branding system for Visit Columbus. Their work explored how the symbol could live throughout the city in fresh and visible ways. As part of that process, they identified the LHP Engineering Solutions building as an ideal site for a Dancing Cs mural.

That vision became even more meaningful in 2025, when the Bartholomew County Historical Society installed the large fiberglass Chuck Taylor shoe nearby. The sculpture quickly became a popular photo spot, and the mural gives it an colorful, unmistakably Columbus backdrop.

Like so many meaningful projects in Columbus, this mural was a true collaboration. Samual Crawford led the creative work in partnership with the Columbus Area Arts Council, with design guidance from Rick Valicenti and support from community volunteers who helped bring the large-scale design to life.

Murals shape how people experience a place. They turn blank walls into landmarks, build pride of place, and strengthen civic identity. The 3rd Street Dancing Cs mural does exactly that. It welcomes people into downtown with a symbol that belongs to Columbus and reflects the best of who we are.

This project was made possible through the generosity of

LHP Inc / LER TechForce
Office of Downtown Development
Cummins Inc.
Columbus Area Visitors Center

Realized through the collaboration of

LHP Inc / LER TechForce
Bartholomew County Historical Society
Columbus Area Arts Council
Indiana University J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program
Columbus Propeller

With appreciation for the contributions of

Bonnie Boatwright
Brooke Hawkins
Elaine Hilber
Diane Robbins
Rick Valicenti
Ana Meza
Coca-Cola
United Way Day of Service Volunteers