By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter
There was a purpose for Maya Hayuk’s visit to Covington – and Julie Kirkpatrick explained.
“We’re putting new eyes on an old building,” were Kirkpatrick’s words to an assembled group at The Carnegie in Covington earlier this week. “We wanted a major art exhibit installed on Covington’s Convention Center.”
Kirkpatrick is president and CEO of MeetNKY. Hayuk is an internationally renowned Ukrainian-American artist born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, with an independent studio practice in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The old building — the Covington Convention Center — turns 25 this year.
“We’re putting those eyes on that building with a world renowned artist,” Kirkpatrick told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, “and we were truly impressed with her story.”
Hayuk is known for her murals that transform public spaces with their dynamic energy and immersive visual experience, fostering a sense of community and wonder. Her art has been exhibited in prestigious galleries worldwide, and her murals can be found in cities across the globe, including “Chemtrails NYC” at the Bowery Wall.
But why Covington?
“We started bringing artists to town back in 2010,” Jay Becker, president and founder of BKLDG, told the Northern Kentucky Tribune. “We were putting a short-list together back then.”
BLDG is a creative consultancy of strategists, designers, and pragmatic artists who map creative solutions to complex problems, helping clients solve their trickiest challenges and reach their wildest potential.
When Hayuk was finally contacted, “I looked at a map, since my dad was a geologist,” she said. “I did some research on the region, as I usually do when visiting a new locale.”
“She (Hayuk) submitted a design,” Kirkpatrick said, “and it was approved by the Northern Kentucky Convention Center Board. She came to town about three or four months ago to see the community and the potential project.”
Hayuk said she learned what was symbolic about Covington as well as Northern Kentucky and learned much about the river as well as immigration and the German heritage.
“I saw inspiration on what connects the community and I feel love here, too.”
She said she’s been treated to a meal at a Ukrainian eating establishment and she feels, “deeply supported and loved here.”
The new mural, which has faced delays thanks to the weather – is set to be unveiled later this week after being postponed earlier because of bad weather.
When asked about the color pattern, Hayuk quickly mentioned yellow and blue – the colors of the Ukrainian flag – crossing over with red and black. She was then asked about painting murals and the height involved.
“I don’t take a lot of risks,” she admitted, “but I do trust machines, and the machines that lift me to the sky. Our machines are certified.
“I’ll never bungee jump or jump out of a plane. I don’t like violence or scary movies.”
Her Covington mural will have her signature – and will be dated.
“Hopefully,” she said, “it will give people a second look — and not cause too many car accidents.”
