Walking through the Midwest Tape warehouse is way more colorful and exciting than ever before.
Earlier this year, the warehouse was given a big infusion of color thanks to a mural from one of Toledo’s most renowned artists. The mural greets warehouse and office workers alike, serving as an artistic expression of what’s most important to the company: advocating and supporting local libraries and all that they do for their communities.
This mural isn’t just a quick wallpaper or decal job. Instead, it is a colorful, museum-quality addition to Midwest Tape’s headquarters.
Who Created the Mural?
According to Midwest Tape Planning Analyst Jake Jankowski, the warehouse walls were in desperate need of a new, colorful addition.
When Jankowski set out to find an artist, he wanted one that was local to Northwest Ohio, where Midwest Tape began operating more than 30 years ago.
Fortunately, finding one wasn’t very difficult.
Jake reached out to Chris “Chilly” Rodriguez, who Jankowski met at an event the previous summer and felt would make sure that the Midwest Tape mural would be done right. “Chilly’s attention to detail and bold use of color made it clear he was the perfect artist to transform our headquarters with a message in support of libraries”, he said. “Choosing a local Toledo talent like him just made the decision even more meaningful.”
The inspiration behind Rodriguez’ art style mainly consists of bold colors and shapes from his artistic beginnings as a graffiti artist. He was a perfect fit for what the team at Midwest Tape had in mind for the warehouse mural.
Recently, Rodriguez had his own exhibit at the world-renowned Toledo Museum of Art’s Robert C. and Susan Savage Community Gallery. The exhibit featured the same vibrant, bright colors that are displayed in the Midwest Tape warehouse mural.
The museum isn’t the only place you can find Rodriguez’ art on display—in January 2022, he opened his own art gallery by revitalizing a former retail space in Toledo.
Why Was “We Love Libraries” Included in the New Mural?
Jankowski trusted Rodriguez so much that he allowed him to work free of restrictions and limitations—except for one.
The only instruction he provided to was to include the company tagline “We Love Libraries” on the mural. Seeing the tagline presented in such an attention-catching way helps drive home Midwest Tape’s mission.
There was additional emphasis placed on the tagline serving as a public declaration of sorts. According to Ann Ford, VP of Sales and Support at Midwest Tape, the mural reflects the company identity and “is more than just art—it’s a vibrant reflection of who we are as a company, our unwavering support for libraries, and the tremendous impact they make each and every day.”
Connecting Art with Our Mission
Ultimately, the warehouse mural at Midwest Tape combines two important elements: community and a passion for libraries.
Relying on a local, up-and-coming artist for the mural demonstrates Midwest Tape’s commitment to its Northwest Ohio roots while maintaining a global reach. The stunning artistic display reinforces the message of our dedication to libraries, reminding each team member of the company mission and why we do what we do.
