After 313,000 miles, Columbus artist gets replacement for iconic van, thanks to donors

A well-known Columbus artist and his iconic ride have parted ways.

Folk artist, muralist and sign painter Ralph “Ralphabetz” Frank and his art van, a rolling canvas painted on by people of all ages, are no longer a couple.

Frank told the Ledger-Enquirer the 2000 Dodge Caravan he dubbed “Nellie” had 313,000 miles on it when the transmission went out during a trip he made to Atlanta over Valentine’s Day weekend.

Frank said he has done lots of work on it through the years, including making several repairs in the past year. He said the Caravan was durable, and he maintained it.

“I hate to give up on anything, but it was time to move on to the next one,” Frank said.

Frank said purchasing a pricey, new van was out of the question.

“I basically live off my Social Security,” he said. “You know, I hit a lick every now and then painting, doing art or a sign, but it’s not steady enough to go out and buy another vehicle.”

He also said he prefers a van old enough so he can work on it. “The more you can do yourself the better off you are,” Frank said.

So his friend Heather Cape started a Go Fund Me campaign March 11 with the goal of raising $4,500 to help Frank buy another vehicle.

“His beloved van, Nellie, is now at her final resting place,” Cape wrote on the Go Fund Me page. “For those new to this amazing story, Ralph spreads his love of art by volunteering at events around our area. I know how special it was for me the first time we met and my daughter painted a picture of our dog! Not only that, our friend is always willing to help someone in need. I’m disabled and Ralph always checked on me and assisted when needed at our common events. I know I’m not the first, or last, person he will offer a lending hand or monetary donation.”

Sixty-one donors, giving amounts from $15 to $300, helped the campaign reach its goal. Frank said he purchased a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan that he plans to also turn into an art van.

“I’m going to continue the art van thing,” Frank said, “I remember the first time I did it down in Lakebottom at Arts in the Park. A lady, her kids were painting on it and said, ‘You’re just gonna wash this off when it’s done right,’ and I said, ‘No, it ain’t gonna wash off, you know.’”

He said he plans to bring the new van to this year’s Arts in the Park so people can begin to customize it with their artistic expressions. The Arts in the Park festival is scheduled for April 27, from noon to 5 p.m., at Lakebottom Park in Columbus.

“Nellie” now resides at Heck.house in Atlanta. On their website, Heck.house describes itself as a community-led, 501c3 nonprofit organization that’s “...an old small house repurposed as an artsy venue designed for workshops, classes, meetups, and small, interactive events.”

“They’re gonna let kids and adults, whoever wants to paint on it,” he said. “They got a lot of stuff out in the yard like I do, but they got way more than I’ve got.”

Frank said he appreciates the community’s help and feels a “heavy responsibility” to those who contributed to the Go Fund Me campaign.

“I’m very grateful, and I hope I can live up to their faith,” he said, “And I’m going to do my best.”

This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.