The Freedom Flag mural barn located near Circleville, Ohio, painted by Erica Arndts. (Credit: Erica Arndts)

By Ken Drenten

Artist Erica Arndts is getting attention for painting what she calls Freedom Flag barns in rural Ohio locations.

A native of Dayton, she has traveled the world as a professional painter and muralist. You can find her murals in Mexico, Italy, France, Indonesia and the U.S.

“As a muralist, it is my duty to help provide communities with powerful artwork and give everyone an opportunity to access art,” she said on her website. “I enjoy painting murals for positive impact and to help bring communities together. There is no greater joy for me than to provide artwork for the masses.”

Since September 2025, she has completed seven barns painted in red, white and blue, most of them prominently featuring the word “FREEDOM” along with patriotic images. She paints each barn with special quick-drying and long-lasting canned spray paint.

Her first Freedom Flag barn, completed in September 2025, depicts assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk and is located along SR 73 between Centerville and Waynesville in western Ohio. That project drew Dayton television news coverage and has also attracted many people to view it.

Over the course of the project, many people have visited the painting sites, bringing lawn chairs to watch Arndts at work on the barns.

“The most rewarding part of this mural project has been seeing people come together through their shared love for this country,” she said.

The most recent barn was completed in June in Pickaway County near Circleville and features an eagle.

View the YouTube video above by clicking on the image; if no image appears or this does not work, please use this link — https://youtu.be/PW9Corzp6CE

Other Freedom Flag and patriotic murals Arndts has completed in Ohio are on the sides of large buildings or barns in or near the towns of Celina, Franklin, Lebanon, Miamisburg, Port Clinton, Springfield, Wauseon and West Carrollton. Another recently completed Freedom Flag barn is located in Godfrey, Illinois.

She said it takes four to seven days to complete each Freedom Flag mural, using anywhere from 100 to 150 cans of spray paint on each one. She said the largest mural she has painted in the series measures 14 by 135 feet; two others have measured close to 18 by 100 feet.

Are there more Freedom Flag barns in the works? “Yes, there are many more planned this year, and I am booking more for spring and summer 2027,” Arndts said.

Because these barns are located on private property, I can’t reveal their exact locations, but interested barnstormers can get more information by following Erica Arndts’ Facebook page or her website at ericaarndts.com.

So next time you’re traveling a country road in Ohio, keep your eyes open for a striking red, white and blue Freedom Flag barn.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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