By Caitlin Kasheta, Main Street Apopka
Main Street Apopka is proud to announce the launch of “The Downtown Mural,” a vibrant new public art installation located at Domino’s Pizza, 2 E. Main Street. The mural is designed and installed by Apopka artist Ridge Bonnick, with work beginning Thursday, July 24, and a projected completion date of August 23, 2025.
Related: Apopka CRA dollars at work: Domino’s building getting a facelift.
The location and installation for this project were chosen through planning efforts with Apopka Murals, a local arts initiative focused on placing impactful public art throughout the downtown area. Together, they selected this highly visible wall as a gateway to the historic downtown’s emerging creative identity. This mural joins a growing collection of public artworks throughout the downtown district, reflecting local culture, inspiring connection, and bringing fresh energy to public spaces.
Main Street Apopka is proud to announce the launch of “The Downtown Mural,” a vibrant new public art installation located at Domino’s Pizza, 2 E. Main Street. The mural is designed and installed by Apopka artist Ridge Bonnick, with work beginning Thursday, July 24, and a projected completion date of August 23, 2025.
This initiative is part of Main Street Apopka’s commitment to revitalizing the city’s historic downtown through the nationally recognized Main Street America Four-Point Approach, which focuses on Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Organization. The mural project reflects two of these pillars in action:
Design: Enhancing the Physical and Visual Assets of Downtown
As a key component of the Main Street Approach, Main Street Apopka recognizes the importance of creating a more inviting, inclusive, and visually engaging downtown environment. “The Downtown Mural” contributes directly to the Design point by transforming a blank exterior wall into a work of public art that celebrates community identity and encourages foot traffic through its photo-opp space. Public art improves the visual character of a place and helps create a sense of pride and connection—key elements in downtown revitalization.
Promotion: Telling the Story of Downtown Apopka
Through the Promotion point, Main Street Apopka is working to position downtown as a hub of culture, history, and community spirit. Commissioning local artists like Ridge and publicly celebrating their work will generate interest, foster civic pride, and bring attention to local businesses. The mural serves as both a visual landmark and a promotional asset—drawing residents and visitors to experience downtown Apopka in a fresh and meaningful way.
“We believe public art is a powerful tool to energize our downtown,” said President Caitlin Kasheta of Main Street Apopka. “Ridge’s unique style and personal story make him the perfect artist to help tell Apopka’s story in a bold, beautiful way—while reinforcing our goals of visual transformation and community engagement.”
Ridge Bonnick is a self-taught artist who has been creating professional murals and artwork across Florida for the past two years.
About the Artist: Ridge Bonnick
Ridge Bonnick is a self-taught artist who has been creating professional murals and artwork across Florida for the past two years. His journey into art began in childhood—sketching during church and shaping clay in school—and grew into a personal mission to use creativity as both expression and healing. Without any formal training, Ridge embraced art as a full-time calling, guided by the belief that art is therapy and freedom.
His mural work can be found throughout the region, including at Hittin Skins in Orlando, Daytona/New Smyrna and residential projects in Windermere and Longwood. Ridge has also been featured in City Hall of Orlando’s Black History Month exhibit for two consecutive years, earning recognition for his distinctive approach to transforming space with meaning and emotion.
“Art has always been my outlet,” said Ridge. “Every piece I create is about connecting what’s inside us to the world around us.”
As The Downtown Mural takes shape, you are encouraged to meet Ridge, watch his process, and share the mural’s progress online on your social media pages. Remember to tag Main Street Apopka in all your posts and use the hashtags #theresmoretoexplore and #downtownapopka.
Follow Ridge and his latest projects on Instagram: @ridge.theartist
Find All the Art in Downtown Apopka
Downtown Apopka boasts several murals, which can be discovered through a self-guided Art Tour. This tour highlights historic sites, local favorite hotspots, and iconic buildings in the community, so residents and visitors can explore downtown like they’ve never seen it before. Visit www.mainstreetapopka.com/art for a complete list of mural sites!
