Stark County artist Dirk Rozich caught himself in a moment of awe while painting images of global sports icon LeBron James.
Working on a trio of 28-by-20 inch paintings, each one would be enlarged into murals at the LeBron James’ Home Court museum at House Three Thirty in Akron.
@edwardbalint Ohio artist Dirk Rozich created the mural of LeBron James at House Three Thirty in the global icon’s hometown of Akron, Ohio. The mural is displayed at the entrance to the LeBron James’ Home Court museum. Read more about the artwork at cantonrep.com. #lebron #lebronjames #lebronjames23 #lbj #lbj23 #akron #akronohio #akronohio330 #nba #basketball #nbabasketball #nbahoops #icons #superstars #mural #murals #kingjames #kingjames23 #dirkrozich #artwork #artist #art #muralist #housethreethirty #lebronjameshomecourt #lebronjamesmuseum #ohio #ohioart #ohioartist #ohioartists
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“It was very emotional when I finished the first painting,” he recalled. “I think that’s when it dawned on me what I was doing. I thought, ‘Wow.'”
“There was a little bit of intimidation because it is LeBron James,” Rozich said of the pressure to create a mural worthy of the celebrity and his museum. “I can’t think of a professional athlete in the world bigger than LeBron.”
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How Dirk Rozich came to paint LeBron James
The 43-year-old North Canton area resident was originally asked to create a mural on the facility’s parking deck. But the LeBron James Foundation was so impressed with Rozich’s previous artwork — which included a commissioned portrait of former President George W. Bush — that it asked him to produce an elaborate mural inside.
Rozich was so moved by the community-driven mission of the organization that he voluntarily created the artwork.
“Sometimes the work is more important than the paycheck,” he said. “And this was definitely one of those projects.”
House Three Thirty is a multi-use facility featuring entertainment and community programs such as job training and family financial planning. The complex is affiliated with the I Promise School, which James created as part of Akron Public Schools.
Opening in late November and described as an immersive multimedia experience, the LeBron James’ Home Court museum is on the lower level of the renovated building, formerly Tangier.
“It turned out absolutely great,” Rozich said of the murals. “And I’m very honored to have had a small part of the building of this institution (House Three Thirty and the museum).”
Nicholas Lopez, creative director for the LeBron James Family Foundation, said House Three Thirty reflects James’ commitment to the city of Akron and Northeast Ohio while drawing people to his hometown both from inside and outside the area.
“He continues to chase that dream of making Akron a place where everyone should come,” he said.
