Commissioned by Main Street Wadsworth, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing downtown Wadsworth, Ohio, this mural is the second of two placemaking works created for the district.

The composition features a 17-foot cardinal, Ohio’s state bird, accompanied by a trail of flowers that move across the wall along its flight path. While the mural can stand on its own, it also forms a dialogue with a companion piece nearby titled Music Is…. Together, the two works complete the title of Albert Ayler’s composition Music Is the Healing Force of the Universe, with Ayler himself portrayed on the first wall.

The cardinal’s presence evokes the familiar moment of awe that comes with spotting a vivid bird in the landscape. For an instant, attention shifts completely and the world feels newly alive.