Chic Spotlight: COV200selfie

Kate Esarey, COV200 Project Coordinator

Cincy Chic: Tell us more about the concept behind the COV200selfie murals!
Kate Esarey, COV200 Project Coordinator: The COV200selfie murals began as a way for us to engage with our online followers, spread awareness about the bicentennial, connect with Covington residents, workers, students, and visitors and highlight interesting areas of Covington. The COV200selfie project was developed as a mural scavenger hunt that would get people out to explore some of the unknown gems of Covington. The idea is that people visiting Mainstrasse will know check out Latonia, Latonia residents will come to the Westside, and so forth; all while participating in a larger online activity with COV200.
Once we’ve completed all of the selfie murals, we will choose several of the photos that have been shared with us to be included in a larger community art installation next spring.

Cincy Chic: Who’s behind the selfie mural movement?
Esarey: COV200, the Covington Bicentennial Committee is behind the COV200selfie!

Cincy Chic: When did the COV200selfie project launch?
Esarey: We started the project in August 2014.

Cincy Chic: What’s the inspiration behind the COV200selfie?
Esarey: The selfie murals are inspired by the neighborhoods in which they are located. For example, the Latonia Derby inspires the Latonia mural while the Mainstrasse Mural is influenced by its recognition as an entertainment district.

Cincy Chic: How is the COV200selfie campaign helping engage the community while also reaching out to future generations?
Esarey: So far we have seen a very positive response to the Selfie Mural campaign. We are receiving selfies from a wide array of Covington residents and visitors (we’ve even received Selfie photos of the Mayor and City Manager). You can check out the several of the selfies we’ve received so far here.

Cincy Chic: Where can readers find the selfie murals?
Esarey: The murals are placed near inspiring projects in Covington that highlight community-led initiatives and progress. So far, you can find selfie murals at Mainstrasse’s Pachinko Bar at 424 West 6th Street, Westside’s Orchard Park on the corner of Orchard and Jackson Streets and at Latonia’s The Green Lantern at 3938 Decoursey Avenue. There’s also a portable selfie mural that we take to our events for attendees to snap a photo in front of! The next mural will be located at the South Covington Dog Park in Pioneer Park where there will be a dog-themed selfie at doggie height.

Cincy Chic: What do you hope to accomplish with the COV200selfie project?
Esarey: The COV200selfie project is a chance for COV200 to engage with the community. We hope to connect with new people, spread awareness about the Bicentennial and highlight Covington’s pockets of brilliance.

Cincy Chic: Where can readers go to learn more about the project?
Esarey: Readers can follow COV200 on Facebook and Twitter and check out our website for more information!