The Arts Commission to host Proposal Presentations for Swayne Field Public Art Project

Daily Dose  |  09/03/2026 5:00 pm

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Art in Public Places Program, in partnership with the City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development, and supported by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation’s Arts and Culture Fund, is excited to announce an evening of public presentations from three artists proposing new permanent public art installations at the Swayne Field Shopping Center in the Englewood neighborhood of Toledo, OH. 

The three finalist artists are Austen Brantley of Toledo, OH; Ken Thompson of Blissfield, MI; and Scott Goss of Cleveland, OH. Each artist brings extensive public art experience, and each has been selected by a Design Review Board (DRB) composed of members of The Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Committee, community leaders from the Englewood neighborhood, and additional project stakeholders. 

The proposal presentations will be held at the Mott Branch Library (1010 Dorr St) on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30PM, and are open to the public. Each artist will present their proposed designs and discuss their concept and process, followed by a period of time to answer questions from the audience. 

About Englewood & Swayne Field

Englewood is one of Toledo's oldest and most notable neighborhoods. It existed as part of Toledo's Old West End until the construction of the I-75 Expressway, dividing Englewood from the rest of the Old West End neighborhoods. The area grew into a residential neighborhood towards the end of the 1800s, evolving into a community with unique architecture in the Queen Anne, Late Victorian, and Italianate styles. 

Englewood became known for its iconic landmarks, including Swayne Field, which opened in 1909. Swayne Field was an important destination as the home of the Toledo Mud Hens, as well as the location of Negro League games and community activities that took place for decades before its redevelopment in the 1950s.

Englewood also experienced the emergence of major industrial developments in the early 20th century, especially the Doehler-Jarvis plant, built in the early 1900s, which manufactured automotive parts—particularly cast metal components like engine blocks and chassis parts—and became a major employer in Toledo for decades. The factory closed in 2002.

Additionally, Englewood is home to several historic religious institutions, including St. Martin de Porres Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, with both having origins dating to the 1800s.

The community's historical value was officially acknowledged when Englewood received a Historic District designation in 1998. Today, the neighborhood works hard to honor its past while preserving its identity.

About The Greater Toledo Community Foundation

The Greater Toledo Community Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities, connect generosity, and inspire collective action to ensure a vibrant region where all people thrive. The Foundation partners with donors to create lasting impact through community leadership and convening, strategic grantmaking, and innovative philanthropy that addresses the community’s most pressing needs.

With more than $560 million in assets across 1100+ funds, the Community Foundation is the region’s largest grantmaker, distributing over $30 million annually to support community needs, opportunities and long-term impact. In 2025, the Community Foundation launched a new Arts & Culture Fund, which supports this public art project. 

About The Arts Commission

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo is the longest standing arts commission in the state of Ohio, founded in 1959, administering the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art Program since 1977. The Arts Commission is supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.