The Cardinal Project is a public art initiative of Downtown Marion, Inc.

This project comes as an effort of Downtown Marion, Inc., led by Cardinal Project Committee Chair, Dean Jacob.

Enjoy a MarionMade Adventure

The Cardinal is Ohio’s state bird. With Ohio as the 17th state admitted to the Union, a total of 17 statues, each 5′ tall, have been installed throughout downtown Marion.

The idea of placing animal sculptures as a public art display in Marion first came to Jacob from seeing the Chicago “Cows on Parade” statues and from other similar public art projects around the country. Jacob then asked, “Why not Marion?!”

Cardinal of Carnations located at the Fisher Building in Marion, Ohio
Redbird Cardinal located at the corner of Church and Vine streets in Marion, Ohio.
The Cardinal Project logo

To get the project started, a design committee fielded designs from numerous local artists. Thirteen local artists were ultimately selected and pitched in with ideas, supplies, and time to create the cardinal. A 5-foot-tall, reinforced fiberglass figure, the cardinal statues are painted in a variety of colors and themes; some feature local attractions and highlight Marion’s historic landmarks, while others are artistic interpretations. Each statue features a plaque detailing the sponsor, designer, and painter of the art installation while telling the story of each Cardinal’s design.

This project was generously funded through private individual donations and organization sponsorships; with half the funding provided by a Marion Community Foundation grant. Artists’ time and talent were also donated to accomplish the project.

Cardinal Statues in Marion

The 17 designs selected by the committee were imagined by 13 local artists:
Amanda Adkins, Lou Graziani, Andrea Johnston, Ben Kern, Dianne Krumnow, Bobbi Lapushansky, Annette Montis, Jane W. Nelson, William Obenour, Linda L. Smith, Kevin Tackett, Kelly Taylor, and Cindy Wood. Their designs honor first responders, spotlight Marion landmarks, recall Marion history, and showcase purely artistic impressions.

Zenburda Cardinal located in Busby Park in Marion, Ohio
Zenburda Cardinal located in Busby Park in Marion, Ohio

1. Zenburda

Located in Busby Park
on the corner of Prospect & Center Streets

Artist: Diane Krumnow

Sponsors:
Carroll’s Jewelers
In memory of Linda Thurston and Marion Community Foundation

Zenburda Cardinal located in Busby Park in Marion, Ohio

Impression: Cardinal located in Founders Park in Marion, Ohio
Impression: Cardinal located in Founders Park in Marion, Ohio

2. Impression: Cardinal

Located in Founders Park
on the corner of Main & Church Streets

Artist: Ben Kern

Sponsors:
Dean & Sue Jacob
and Marion Community Foundation

Impression: Cardinal located in Founders Park in Marion, Ohio

Women of Marion Cardinal, located at the Harding Centre in Marion, Ohio
Women of Marion Cardinal, located at the Harding Centre in Marion, Ohio

3. Celebrating the Women of Marion

Located at the Harding Centre
267 West Center Street

Design: Andrea Johnston
Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors: Lois J. Fisher & Associates and Family
and Marion Community Foundation

Women of Marion Cardinal, located at the Harding Centre in Marion, Ohio
“This project is a way to showcase the incredible talent of local artists, highlight Marion history and culture, and enhance the city streetscape all at the same time,” – Dean Jacob, project organizer
Magical Gem Cardinal located at the Marion Palace Theatre in Marion, Ohio

4. Magical Gem

Located at the Marion Palace Theatre
276 West Center Street

Artist: Jane Nelson

Sponsors:
Fogle Farms – Kit, Lori, Abigail & Alexis
and Marion Community Foundation

Magical Gem Cardinal located at the Marion Palace Theatre in Marion, Ohio
Magical Gem Cardinal located at the Marion Palace Theatre in Marion, Ohio

Swamp Fox Cardinal located at Heritage Hall in Marion, Ohio
Swamp Fox Cardinal located at Heritage Hall in Marion, Ohio

5. Gen. Francis Marion, The “Swamp Fox”

Located at Heritage Hall
169 East Church Street

Artist: Lou Graziani

Sponsor:
Marion Rotary Club

Swamp Fox Cardinal located at Heritage Hall in Marion, Ohio

Life in Pieces Cardinal located at Explore-It-Torium in Marion, Ohio
Life in Pieces Cardinal located at Explore-It-Torium in Marion, Ohio

6. Life in Pieces

Located at The Explore-It-Torium
244 South Main Street

Artist: Linda L. Smith

Sponsors:
Dr. Jay & Janice Moodley
and Marion Community Foundation

Life in Pieces Cardinal located at Explore-It-Torium in Marion, Ohio

Marion County Courthouse Cardinal located at the courthouse in Marion, Ohio

7. Marion County Courthouse

Located at the Marion County Courthouse
on the corner of Main & Center Streets

Artist: Kevin Tackett

Sponsors:
Kevin & Ruth Smith
and Marion Community Foundation

Marion County Courthouse Cardinal located at the courthouse in Marion, Ohio
Marion County Courthouse Cardinal located at the courthouse in Marion, Ohio

Peacekeepers Cardinal, located at City Hall in Marion, Ohio
Peacekeepers Cardinal, located at City Hall in Marion, Ohio

8. Marion’s Peacekeepers

Located at Marion City Hall
233 West Center Street

Indoor Installation
Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors: Steve Young FOP Memorial Lodge 24 of Marion
and Marion Community Foundation

Peacekeepers Cardinal, located at City Hall in Marion, Ohio

“Cardinals” are trending on social media and downtown business owners are seeing a noticeable increase in foot traffic from people coming downtown specifically to seek out the cardinals.

“I love seeing lots of people exploring the downtown and searching out the new cardinals. Public art is important and helps add to the downtown vibe.” – Luke Henry, downtown business owner and developer
Marion County Fair Cardinal located at the county administration building in Marion, Ohio
Marion County Fair Cardinal located at the county administration building in Marion, Ohio

9. Marion County Fair

Located at the Marion County Administration Building
222 West Center Street

Design: Cindy Wood
Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors:
Friends of Agriculture
and Marion Community Foundation

Marion County Fair Cardinal located at the county administration building in Marion, Ohio

Seasons of a Buckeye Cardinal located at United Church Homes in Marion, Ohio
Seasons of a Buckeye Cardinal located at United Church Homes in Marion, Ohio

10. Seasons of a Buckeye

Located at United Church Homes
170 East Center Street

Design: Kelly Taylor
Artist: Ben Kern

Sponsors:
United Church Homes
and Marion Community Foundation

Seasons of a Buckeye Cardinal located at United Church Homes in Marion, Ohio

Special Thanks

  • Mayor Scott Shertzer
  • City of Marion
  • Marion County Commissioners
  • Trophies & More (plaques)
  • Dan Kelly Stump Grinding
  • Dave Neidhart’s Stump Removal
  • Zach Wheeler (logo & graphic design)
  • Lori Stevenson (promotion)
The Cardinal Project logo
Blue Skies Over Marion Cardinal located at Fahey Banking Company in Marion, Ohio
Blue Skies Over Marion Cardinal located at Fahey Banking Company in Marion, Ohio

11. Blue Skies Over Marion

Located at Fahey Banking Company
127 North Main Street

Artist: William Obenour

Sponsors: United Way of North Central Ohio,
Housing Coalition 2020,
and Marion Community Foundation

Blue Skies Over Marion Cardinal located at Fahey Banking Company in Marion, Ohio

Fire Bird Cardinal located at Marion City Fire Station #1 in Marion, Ohio

12. Fire Bird

Located at Marion City Fire Station #1
186 South Prospect Street

Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors:
Marion Local Firefighters 379
and Marion Community Foundation

Fire Bird Cardinal located at Marion City Fire Station #1 in Marion, Ohio
Fire Bird Cardinal located at Marion City Fire Station #1 in Marion, Ohio

Project Thanks

  • Installation: Mike Brown & Baldauf Construction
  • Tommy Cantrell & Integrity Home Improvments
  • Tri Rivers Career Center Construction Trades Academy
  • J&M Concrete
  • Cy & Julie Prettyman
  • Design & Fabrication: FAST Fiberglass, LLC of Sparta, WI
  • Clear Coating: Herb’s Body Shop
  • PPG
My Feathered Friend Cardinal located at the OhioHealth building in Marion, Ohio
My Feathered Friend Cardinal located at the OhioHealth building in Marion, Ohio

13. My Feathered Friend

Located at the OhioHealth Building
165 West Center Street

Design: Bobbi Lapushansky
Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors:
OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
and Marion Community Foundation

My Feathered Friend Cardinal located at the OhioHealth building in Marion, Ohio

Good Olde Marion Town Cardinal located at Marion Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau in Marion, Ohio
Good Olde Marion Town Cardinal located at Marion Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau in Marion, Ohio

14. Good Olde Marion Town

Located at Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
198 West Center Street

Design: Annette Montis
Artist: Jane Nelson

Sponsors:
Sims Brothers Recycling
and Marion Community Foundation

Good Olde Marion Town Cardinal located at Marion Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau in Marion, Ohio

Thank you to these generous project sponsors

Taking Flight Sponsor:

Marion Community Foundation

Red Wing Sponsor:

Marion Rotary Club (General Francis Marion, “Swamp Fox”)

Feathered Friend Sponsors:
  • Jeff & Amy Baldauf (Cardinal of Carnations)
  • Carroll’s Jewelers (Zenburda)
  • First Citizens National Bank (Redbird)
  • Fogle Farms – Kit, Lori, Abigail & Alexis (Magical Gem)
  • Friends of Agriculture (Marion County Fair)
  • Holbrook & Manter CPAs and H&M Financial Advisors, LLC (Oorang Indians)
  • Dean & Sue Jacob (Impression: Cardinal)
  • Lois J. Fisher & Associates and Family (Celebrating the Women of Marion)
  • Marion Firefighters Local 379 (Fire Bird)
  • Dr. Jay & Janice Moodley (Life in Pieces)
  • OhioHealth Marion General Hospital (My Feathered Friend)
  • Sims Brothers Recycling (Good Olde Marion Town)
  • Kevin & Ruth Smith (Marion County Courthouse)
  • Steve Young FOP Memorial Lodge 24 of Marion (Marion’s Peacekeepers)
  • United Church Homes (Seasons of a Buckeye)
  • United Way of North Central Ohio Housing Coalition 2020 (Blue Skies Over Marion)
Cardinal of Carnations located at The Fisher Building in Marion, Ohio

15. Cardinal of Carnations

Located at the Fisher Building
107 North Main Street

Artist: Amanda Adkins

Sponsors:
Jeff & Amy Baldauf
and Marion Community Foundation

Cardinal of Carnations located at The Fisher Building in Marion, Ohio
Cardinal of Carnations located at The Fisher Building in Marion, Ohio

Oorang Indians Cardinal, located at the southwest corner of State and Center Streets in Marion, Ohio
Oorang Indians Cardinal, located at the southwest corner of State and Center Streets in Marion, Ohio

16. Oorang Indians

Located at the southwest corner of State and Center Streets

Artist: Kevin Tackett

Sponsors: Holbrook & Manter CPAs
H&M Financial Advisors, LLC
and Marion Community Foundation

Oorang Indians Cardinal, located at the southwest corner of State and Center Streets in Marion, Ohio

Redbird Cardinal, located at the northwest corner of Church and Vine Streets in Marion, Ohio
Redbird Cardinal, located at the northwest corner of Church and Vine Streets in Marion, Ohio

17. Redbird

Located at the northwest corner of Church and Vine Streets

Artist: Annette Montis

Sponsors:
First Citizens National Bank
and Marion Community Foundation

Redbird Cardinal, located at the northwest corner of Church and Vine Streets in Marion, Ohio

Designers & Artists

  • Dianne Krumnow, Artist (Zenburda)
  • Ben Kern, Artist (Impression: Cardinal and Seasons of a Buckeye)
  • Andrea Johnston, Designer (Celebrating the Women of Marion)
  • Amanda Adkins, Artist (Celebrating the Women of Marion, Marion’s Peacekeepers, Marion County Fair, Fire Bird, My Feathered Friend, Cardinal of Carnations)
  • Jane Nelson, Artist (Magical Gem, Good Olde Marion Town)
  • Lou Graziani, Artist (Gen. Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”)
  • Linda L. Smith, Artist (Life in Pieces)
  • Kevin Tackett, Artist (Marion County Courthouse, Oorang Indians)
  • Cindy Wood, Designer (Marion County Fair)
  • Kelly Taylor, Designer (Seasons of a Buckeye)
  • William Obenour, Artist (Blue Skies Over Marion)
  • Bobbi Lapushansky, Designer (My Feathered Friend)
  • Annette Montis, Artist (Good Olde Marion Town, Redbird)

Routed Walking Map

View a routed walking map of the Cardinal statues in locations throughout Downtown Marion.
Printed maps are available at the Marion Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Routed Cardinal Map