Jack L. Boulton: Art Advisor from the Heartland — Part I

John Stewart and Jack Boulton discussing art, 1976
Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive Collection,
Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Digital Collections

In Columbus, Indiana, Jack Lloyd Boulton was born on September 13, 1944, to Charlotte and Charles Boulton. Another son, Michael, was born a year later. The two brothers were born prior to when Columbus was christened as the "Athens of the Prairie," though they had the opportunity to witness and experience the corporate support of the Cummins Engine Company firsthand. The intermingling of the arts and corporate sectors would find itself weaving an invisible string throughout Jack's career. 

Senior Photo, The Log 1962, Columbus High School

His interest in art began early as he exhibited work at the local 4-H Fair. While a senior at Columbus High School, now Columbus North, he received a Gold Key and Hallmark Award from the National Scholastic Art Awards. His work was put on display at the L.S. Ayres Department Store, located on the southwest corner of Washington and Meridian Streets in Indianapolis. He graduated in 1962 and enrolled at the College of Design, Architecture, and Art at the University of Cincinnati. Just as in his secondary school years, Boulton was actively involved in student affairs, participating in various clubs and committees. He received his BS in Graphic Design in 1967 and MA in Media and Group Communications in 1970. During his graduate studies, Boulton served as head of the art department at Hughes High School, located in Clifton Heights, Cincinnati. 

In 1970, he would join forces with local contemporary art dealer Carl Solway and serve as assistant director for the Carl Solway Gallery. Boulton's position was tasked to support the gallery in finding new clients within the Midwest. The gallery was located on the fourth floor of the former S.P. Nelson & Sons building at 204 W. 4th St. Solway focused on showcasing well-known artists of the mid-late 20th century, such as Jasper Johns, George Rickey, Jim Dine, and Nam June Paik, to name a few. The two would later become well known for their concept to beautify a disheveled city from the results of the growth of suburbia, urban decay, and an urgent call for urban renewal. This very concept was what initiated the Urban Walls movement. 

Urban Walls: Cincinnati,
Carl Solway Gallery, 1976, pg. 7

The Urban Walls movement began as a response to the blank canvases of brick and concrete walls located within urban centers. In order to improve quality of life for city dwellers, Solway and Boulton called for mural designs by local artists to be painted with an assigned property located throughout the downtown area. 10 artists were selected with each being paired up with a property owner who was allowed to accept or deny the proposed mural concept; thankfully, no qualms were raised. In order to support the project, the Solway Gallery sold limited edition screenprints of all 10 designs in a portfolio for $500 each. The project began in June 1971 and was completed in summer of 1973. The project began to draw much attraction, especially that of neighboring cities such as Dayton, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The latter invited Boulton, who lectured on the Urban Walls Project back in his home state at the Herron School of Art in October 1972. The lecture coincided with a joint exhibition highlighting the mural work from both Cincinnati and Indianapolis. 13 seniors from Herron's visual communication program offered their own mural concepts in the exhibition. It wouldn't be until another year that the Urban Walls project in Indianapolis would commence. 

Journal Herald Newspaper, September 25, 1971, pg. 31

Cincinnati Magazine, "Our Wild Walls," June 1972, pg. 37

Roughly over fifty years later, only one mural remains left standing. Allegro, by Cincinnati-native Barron Krody, is located at 636 Race St., situated on the building's eastern facade. The mural was restored by the Hotel Kinley in 2020. The vibrant legacy of Solway and Boulton remains as Cincinnati now has over 300 murals sprinkled throughout, making it one of the top cities to promote and display public wall art.

Urban Walls: Cincinnati Exhibition Poster, 
Design by Barron Krody, 1971
MOMA Collection

To be continued...

Dedicated to Jack Boulton, a fellow Hoosier and artist. 

Thank you to Richard E. Nickolson for the introduction to Jack and my pursuit of researching and sharing his legacy. 

Thank you to my friends and family, in addition to many history friends, particularly Bill Gulde and Deedee Davis, for supporting me in sharing my interests and research!

Sources: Indiana State Archives Birth Certificate Records 1907-1944; Republic Newspaper, July 27, 1960, pg. 13; Republic Newspaper, February 21, 1962, pg. 13; Cincinnati Post, July 24, 1971, pg. 3; Journal Herald (Dayton, OH), September 25, 1971, pg. 31; Cincinnati Magazine, "Our Wild Walls," June 1972, pgs. 37-38; Indianapolis News, October 5, 1972, pg. 20; Urban Walls: Cincinnati, Carl Solway Gallery, 1976; UrbanCincy, "Cincinnati’s ‘Urban Walls’ Movement Looked To Spark Thoughtful Design" by Randy A. Slimes, February 7, 2012; UC News, "Murals Boost Cincinnati’s Vitality, Community Development" by Angela Koenig, July 9, 2025; Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Digital Collections; Stout Reference Library and Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art/Newfields