Who is Erica Arndts? The traveling artist from Ohio behind Charlie Kirk’s massive tribute mural

A little time has passed since Erika Kirk’s soul-stirring speech of forgiveness shook America for the man accused of assassinating her husband; another tribute has emerged online, this time in the form of art. A massive mural of Charlie Kirk has been painted on the side of a barn off State Route 73 in Waynesville, Ohio, by traveling muralist Erica Arndts.

In her speech Erika stunned the mourning audience by forgiving the shooter. "I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And it's what Charlie would do," she said. "The answer to hate is not hate."

Kirk, a father of two, was shot while addressing students at Utah Valley University earlier this month. Prosecutors have alleged that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson carried out the attack after telling his partner he had “had enough” of Kirk’s “hatred.”


An X user posted about the tribute, writing, “An artist paints a massive mural in honor of Charlie Kirk on the side of a barn off of State Route 73 in Waynesville, Ohio. The mural was painted by Erica Arndts, and the video was shot by Reflections by Rob.”

Who is Erica Arndts?

Erica Arndts is a world-traveling muralist and fine artist originally from Centerville, Ohio, as her website mentions. Known for her large-scale public works that aim to bring communities together, she has painted murals across the US and internationally, including in Mexico, Italy, France, and Indonesia.

A graduate of Centerville High School, Arndts has left her mark in several Ohio cities, including Dayton and Miamisburg, before completing her latest piece in Waynesville. On her Instagram, she describes herself as “The road is my home, and the world is my canvas. Traveling Muralist.”

Her artistic mission, she says, is rooted in connection: “As a muralist, it is my duty to help provide communities with powerful artwork and give everyone an opportunity to access art. I enjoy painting murals for positive impact and help bring communities together. There is no greater joy for me than to provide artwork for the masses.”