Ashland officials and community members marked a new downtown mural and gathering area with a Tuesday afternoon dedication, according to Ashland Source.
The artwork at Union and Third streets was created by Troy Freeman, owner and lead artist of FreeSky Studios. The business’s website lists Freeman as a central Illinois resident with more than two decades of experience and work displayed around the country. The city worked with the Leadership Ashland Class of 2026 and the building’s owners; the class raised funds for the project.
The mural depicts Ashland County, Ohio in script, hot air balloons, The Ashland Theatre and other local scenery against a sunset. In front, a green space includes new pavement, benches, planters, hedges and a flagpole. String lights are planned. Morris Sign Studio provided a hot air balloon sign that extends above the roofline; Mayor Matt Miller said the three-dimensional element was Freeman’s idea.
Miller described the mural as distinct among the 40 to 50 community, city and county murals Freeman has completed. He said Freeman called it his first nighttime scene and his only mural with a three-dimensional component tied to a public space. The Ashland County Community Foundation partnered with the city on the green space, and Willo’dell Nursery was also credited. Miller said the city owns the lot behind the building and hopes to repave and restripe it next year, adding more spaces than were removed.
Class representative Matt Eshleman said Explore Ashland originated the idea and described the project as one that required adaptation and collaboration. Kaylee Billinghurst of Explore Ashland and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and chamber president Amy Daubenspeck also spoke about placemaking and the class’s legacy.