River East Gallery owners bring color to East Side at first art fest
Story and photos by Au’Ree Antoinette
TOLEDO – River East Gallery owners Chris “Chilly” Rodriguez, Conor “Con-Tron” Degnan and Luke Stoeckley made history Sept. 28 when they hosted their first Mural & Arts Festival in East Toledo.
The corner of 6th and Main streets was transformed into a hub of artistic expression as hundreds of attendees gathered to witness over 50 murals come to life.
Rodriguez shared the inspiration behind the event, reflecting on a journey he and his colleagues took in 2020.
“During COVID, Conor, Luke and I took a cross-country trip together. We got to experience the art scenes and districts in other big cities,” Rodriguez explained. “When I got back home, I realized one of the things I was supposed to learn [from that trip] was how to bring that energy here and help it [our own art scene] grow.”
One year after that trip, Rodriguez and Degnan secured their current space at 601 Main St. in December 2021. What once stood as a rundown tattoo shop was transformed during the winter of 2021-2022 into the vibrant River East Gallery.
The inaugural festival showcased nearly 60 artists, including around 25 muralists and 30 graffiti artists. The event attracted talent from across the country, including Toledo native Campo Graphic, who now resides in Portland, Oregon. Local artists like Teeth, Con-Tron, Michael Osborne, Abigail Bruce, and Mia Otto were also among those featured.
For many local art enthusiasts, the festival was a nostalgic reminder of past community events. Local spectator Brad Scherzer recalled, “This is the first art festival like this since the Main Event on Starr Avenue back in 2014.”
The overnight transformation and energy of the neighborhood left the city eager for more, with many already asking when the next mural festival would take place.
Rodriguez is enthusiastic about the future of the festival, stating, “This was just to show everyone the potential of an event like this. I have big plans to do it again next year.”
As Toledo’s art scene continues to grow, Rodriguez expressed his gratitude. “There’s something special and magical going on right now [in the Toledo art scene], and I’m very grateful to be a part of it.”
