Darius Steward (b.1984)
Waiting Room, 2019
Commissioned by Summa Health
Materials: Drawing and latex house paint mural, approx. 10' x 41’
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower, Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), Blue Neighborhood, First Floor, Visitors Lounge
About the Art
Darius Steward’s Waiting Room is a deeply humanistic and expressive mural, commissioned for the first-floor visitors’ lounge in Summa Health’s new tower. Steward’s work is known for its ability to capture the quiet yet profound moments of everyday life. Through careful observation, rich emotion, and an intuitive sense of composition, Waiting Room reflects the artist’s ongoing exploration of identity, community, and shared experience.
Steward describes the intent behind the mural:
“I want my mural to create community … I want this mural to be a conversation piece that people see themselves in.”
With this in mind, Waiting Room presents a diverse group of figures including families, friends, and individuals who express support, connection, and resilience. Some are drawn from Steward’s own family and friends, while others represent a fictionalized yet universal gathering of people in a shared space. By incorporating unfinished elements, such as sketched in chairs and partially painted figures, Steward conveys an open-ended narrative, one that invites viewers to become part of the story.
This site-specific piece was completed in May 2019, just as the new tower opened. Early visitors could witness the artist at work, painting directly onto the wall using house paints. His process began with digital compositions assembled from candid photos, which were projected, sketched, and then transformed into the final mural. The composition is framed by two central figures: Steward’s daughter, depicted from the shoulders up, and his son, grinning as he playfully holds a dripping paintbrush, symbolizing both the act of creation and the ongoing nature of the work itself.
Among the other figures, we see a man turned in conversation with his wife as she checks her phone, a father cradling his laughing son, and a yawning man whose oversized watch suggests the passage of time. A young girl observes him thoughtfully, her serious expression contrasting with the casual gestures around her. Through pose, gesture, and facial expression, Steward captures a range of human emotions, from patience and contemplation to joy and connection.
Steward’s color palette is striking yet restrained, consisting of bright blues, deep pinks, and yellows that highlight key details while leaving some areas loosely defined. This interplay of finished and unfinished elements echoes the nature of waiting itself: uncertain, evolving, and shaped by the people who inhabit the space.
About the Artist
Darius Steward is a Cleveland based artist, educator, and community advocate. He earned his B.F.A. from the Cleveland Institute of Art and his M.F.A. from the University of Delaware. His work has been widely recognized for its focus on social justice, personal identity, and the dynamics of race and class in contemporary America. Steward’s artistic philosophy is deeply rooted in his lived experience. While his subjects are often drawn from his own family and community, his work resonates far beyond personal narratives, prompting larger discussions about society and belonging.
Steward has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2018 Cleveland Arts Prize for Emerging Artist. His work has been featured in major exhibitions, including the citywide FRONT International triennial. He teaches at St. Ignatius High School, mentors young artists through the Scholar Squad at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and continues to expand his practice through painting, drawing, and printmaking.
Where You Can See More of Steward’s Work
Steward’s artwork is featured in prominent institutional collections, including:
- Akron Art Museum
- Canton Museum of Art
- Cleveland Clinic
- MetroHealth Hospital
- Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Davis Art Museum at Wellesley College
- University of Delaware Art Collections
His large-scale public murals can also be found throughout Cleveland, including:
- Gordon Square Arts District
- Cleveland RTA Red Line (as part of the 2016 public art initiative)
- Cleveland Inner Belt Bridge on Euclid Avenue, featuring students from CSU, Cuyahoga Community College, and Campus International School
- RTA Arts Connector, part of LAND Studio’s Inter/Urban project
Through his art, Darius Steward creates spaces for dialogue, reflection, and connection, bringing to life the shared human experiences that unite us all. To learn more, visit his website.