Haven’t you noticed that vibrant splash of color down this alley? It’s the Dave Grohl Mural. This mural adds a jolt of color to Grohl Alley. It’s dedicated to Warren-born Dave Grohl. He is a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. He played drums for Nirvana. He also founded Foo Fighters.
Artist Royce Umberger created the mural. His proposal was selected from over 20 submissions. The mural covers two brick walls in the downtown alleyway. Umberger said he loves the alley. He is good friends with the people at Modern Methods Brewing Company. He thinks it is a great space. This is the biggest mural he has ever taken on.
Umberger grew up in Akron. He came to the Mahoning Valley in 2006. He recently moved to Boardman from Mineral Ridge. His work is geometric and abstract. It uses bright colors. The mural merges that style with partial images of Grohl. You can see a portrait from the nose up. It shows the musician in one corner. The word “Warren” dominates that section. There is an outstretched arm with a drumstick. Also, a guitar-playing torso appears in another part.
The selection committee included Jessica King. She is president of the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County board. Sarah Braun is co-owner of Modern Methods Brewing Company. Sara Daugherty is from BRITE Energy. Shawn Carvin is from the David Grohl Alley Committee. Warren Mayor Doug Franklin was also on the committee.
The proposals were displayed outside Modern Methods. This happened over Memorial Day weekend. People could scan a QR code. They then voted for their favorite. Braun said they wanted something fun and colorful. They loved the idea of subtly honoring Dave Grohl. It should honor the history of the alley. But it shouldn’t be super Dave Grohl-centric. This mural is a good balance. It’s a space people enjoy. They hang out on the patio. They come through to take pictures. It will be a fun backdrop for that activity.
King said the color and form made Umberger’s proposal stand out. It is bright and vibrant. It includes Warren and a hint of Dave Grohl. It wasn’t too Dave Grohl-focused. But it keeps that theme throughout the alley. The goal was to accentuate the LED lighting. He was pulling from those colors.
Umberger submitted two color palettes. One used primary colors. The other used fluorescent colors. The completed mural uses one color palette for all portions. Umberger will pick which one works best under the lights.
Funding for the mural came primarily from the David Grohl Alley committee. BRITE Energy and FACT also contributed. The budget is $12,000. King said they should have a signed agreement with Umberger soon.
The artist estimated the project would take 80 to 100 hours. The mural location is covered. So weather shouldn’t be a major concern. Summer is the perfect time. Paint takes longer to dry in cold weather.
Umberger aims to finish by September. He is motivated to get started. There is a possibility of additional work in the alley. Some of the original work from 2009 is weathered and damaged. With the excitement it provided, there is potential to do more artwork throughout the alley. It’s a matter of finding funding. This ensures artists are compensated for their work.
Grohl was born in Warren on January 14, 1969. He moved to Alexandria, VA at a young age. He still has family in Warren. He spent many summer vacations in the area.
Dave Grohl established himself with Nirvana. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This happened with bandmates Cobain and Novoselic. It was the group’s first year of eligibility. So, take a moment to appreciate this mural. It celebrates a local legend and adds vibrancy to our community.