Armstrong mural unveiled

WAPAKONETA - A roadside mural of Neil Armstrong created by a prominent California artist was unveiled Sunday along U.S. 33, highlighting the area's ties to the first man to walk on the moon.

The mural, featuring Apollo 11, the moon and a likeness of Armstrong, is located at at 17595 U.S. 33, Wapakoneta, and is the only roadside mural in Ohio by artist John Cerney.

Cerney reportedly contacted the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce in May, wanting to pay tribute to the first man to walk on the moon with an "oversized" mural near his hometown.

Cerney is known for his giant, freestanding wood murals placed throughout the country. Once a year, he reportedly donates a mural to a community to find new audiences and to have fun with his form of public art.

First on the Moon Inc., a newly formed nonprofit organization which develops and implements public arts and humanities programming and legacy initiatives to promote Wapakoneta's identity as Armstrong's home, reportedly assisted in Cerny's efforts to bring his work to Ohio.

"We're thrilled that John approached Wapakoneta with this unique opportunity," FOTM vice president Rachel Barber stated in a press release. "This work of art will capture the imagination of the thousands of folks who travel on U.S. 33 each day, and will further our goal to highlight Wapakoneta and Ohio's unique relationship with Neil Armstrong, first person to walk on the moon."