This program provides community based art opportunities for all ages and abilities through public art installations, community events, art classes, and art education partnerships with local schools. 

Favorite Inspire Events Include-

• Summer Solstice Music & Arts Festival

• Community Crosswalk Painting

• Mural Installations

• Art at the Library

• Live Music at Ironton Senior Center

In addition to providing community art experiences, this program seeks to grow the local art ecosystem by providing opportunities to showcase their talents and ensuring all artists are properly compensated for their works.

• The First Cast Youth Fishing Seminar-  This annual event is an inclusive outdoor education program introducing individuals of all ages and abilities to entry level fishing skills, water safety instruction and aquatic stewardship. Participants gain confidence in responsible outdoor recreation while learning about local ecosystems and conservation practices. 

• The Common Soil Collective- This community gardening and environmental stewardship initiative focuses on increasing access to hands-on growing education. Through monthly workshops, youth programming, seed library support and activation of a newly secured community garden space; participants learn soil health practices, seasonal planting techniques, composting and pollinator support. The program prioritizes accessibility for individuals who may lack space, tools or experience to begin gardening independently.

• Trash Bash Community Clean Up- an annual service event that focuses on beautification of local shared green spaces, parks, and recreational areas in the community. Through trash removal, graffiti remediation, and maintenance of overgrown areas, we are dedicated to leaving spaces better than we find them.

The Ironton Senior Center program acts as a third space for area seniors, providing socialization, engaging activities, connection to community resources, and a congregate meal service program. The lunch program is free for seniors. The menu is designed by a registered dietician to meet federal nutritional guidelines and the lunches are prepared on site in our commercially licensed kitchen.

The Ironton Senior Center is located on the 2nd Floor of the Park Avenue Apartments, 202 Park Ave., Ironton, OH. The center is open each week on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The Ironton Senior Center opens at 9:30 am for social hour. Programming begins at 10:15 am, and lunch is served at 11:30 am. Title III- Congregate Meals are free for qualified seniors. Meal cost for guests is $10. Please call or text (740) 377-5046 by 10 am on the day of service to reserve your meal. 30 meal reservations will be accepted each day.

Monthly Activities and Meal Service Calendars are located under “Events”.

The project that started it all….. adding art in the form of crosswalk murals and artistic bike racks thanks to an award from The Ohio Arts Council and community donations. The bike racks were designed and made by junior and senior welding students at Collins Career Center. Third and Center held a contest to award the crosswalk installations to the winning artists. Jesse Jiles, an artist from Lawrence County, won one of the crosswalk installations with his vibrant stepping circles design. The other two crosswalk installations were awarded to residents at STAR Community Justice Center and included vibrant geometric designs and paper airplanes. The goals of this project were to increase pedestrian safety and walkability in Historic Downtown Ironton, to increase interest in biking downtown, and most importantly to allow young people, specifically young artists, an opportunity to create something that will have a lasting positive effect on their community.

The Crosswalk Painting event celebrated its 6th year in 2026.

The murals on the Ironton riverfront floodwall have been a beacon of community pride for decades. In 2020, Third and Center was able to refresh some of the existing murals, including the large, iconic “Ironton, Ohio Welcomes You” . The revitalization was completed in time for a yearly music festival held on the river for thousands of people to enjoy. This project was funded by grants and community fundraising.

In addition to the riverfront, Third & Center has facilitated the installations of over 15 other murals throughout the city created by local artists and student artists.

Community building is a the heart of everything we do at Third & Center. Events bring a strong sense of pride and friendship to our neighborhoods, the programs are designed to create opportunities for individuals to get involved, give back, and become a part of something bigger than themselves. There’s no better way to get to know your neighbor than to create change together. The free, donation-based, and fundraising events held in Ironton, OH and surrounding areas are guaranteed to showcase the best art, music, food, and attitude that the community has to offer.