John Cerney, renowned muralist from Salinas, California, is at it again in Grant County, Indiana. Two additional huge, James Dean cut-out murals have been installed. The first John Cerney mural installed in Grant County is of James Dean in his “rebel pose” located at the James Dean Gallery, 425 N. Main Street in Fairmount, Indiana. Fairmount is James Dean’s hometown and final resting place. Here James Dean’s life and legacy is celebrated year-round, but especially the last weekend each September during the annual Remembering James Dean Festival.
One More Added in Marion, IN
Then in April 2022, another James Dean cut-out mural was installed in Marion, Indiana, on State Road 18, at the entrance of Ballard Field. This installation is 12-foot tall and is a larger version of the Dean “rebel pose” already installed at the James Dean Gallery in Fairmount. John Cerney installed this art piece himself.
Then, Another Added in Fairmount, IN
In May 2022, Cerney went to nearby Fairmount, where he installed the 14-foot tall x 12-foot wide scene from the movie, East of Eden. This piece is located on the way into town on State Road 26, which makes the second James Dean cut-out mural created by artist John Cerney in Fairmount. Cerney has commented that he believes the East of Eden design is his best work yet! In this film based on John Steinbeck’s book of the same title, James Dean plays the character, Cal Trask, who has a difficult relationship with his strict father and his estranged mother.
And Then, There Were Three!
Now there are three John Cerney cut-out murals in Grant County. These three James Dean murals are the only Cerney creations installed in the state of Indiana. From Fairmount, Cerney will travel to Tennessee for another installation. Currently, he has 300 pieces of cut-out murals, which some call “highway art,” all over the U.S. Most of his work can be seen alongside the highways in California and the Midwest.
See Them For Yourself!
Visit Grant County soon to see these larger-than-life James Dean murals. Photos do not do them justice. You simply have to see them for yourself. Then, count yourself among the many Americans who have been touched and impressed by John Cerney’s creations.
