Monclova Playground Mural History
The Monclova Primary School playground mural was first painted by AWHS art student, Troy Haney (‘89). It featured a savanna theme with a tiger, giraffe, zebra and parrot. Weather and time had caused the mural to fade and it was no longer the vibrant piece of art it once was.
Project Inspiration
In the spring of 2024, the Monclova Area Parents group conducted a survey of Monclova Primary School staff to determine the needs and wants of the school. The goal was to be as specific as possible in order to set a fundraising goal for fall 2024. When the survey results came in, it was clear that updating the playground mural was a top priority for staff.
Choosing a Project Partner
MAPS made connections with a handful of artists, but one muralist stood out. Dean Davis is a Whitehouse native with an extensive portfolio of mural artwork, including the largest mural in the United States - the Glass City River Wall project on the ADM grain silos.
Fundraising
In September of 2024, MAPS held a school wide fundraiser with incentives like seeing staff members dressed as Super Mario characters if the goal of raising $25,000 was met. Monclova families and community members gave generously - raising $33,000. With $10,000 budgeted for the mural project, it was time to begin planning.
Getting Started
Monclova Primary Principal, Betsey Murry and MAPS representative Shawnacy Miller put pencil to paper and began to draft an outline for their vision. They knew they wanted the project to be led by the fourth grade class with support from AWHS art students.
A Slight Snag
Although the fundraising efforts were successful, the cost of a man lift to access the wall was not included in the project budget. Fortunately, Sunbelt Rentals of Maumee came alongside Monclova Primary School as a sponsor, donating the use of a lift so the mural could be completed. With this logistical piece in place, the students could get started on planning and design.
Creative Brainstorming and Learning with Mr. Davis
In mid-January 2025, Dean Davis led design planning meetings with the 4th grade student council members. It was decided that two representatives from each class would serve as the project liaisons - collecting design ideas and reporting back to their classmates.
Dean visited each fourth grade art class to teach them about murals, introduce the project and to encourage students to submit their ideas for the mural. Every student was invited to draw what they thought should be included on the mural and share ideas for color, style and symbolism.
Developing a Design
A few weeks later, the Student Council representatives returned with about 100 different submissions filled with pictures, words and ideas that should be a part of the mural. Together with Dean, they reviewed the suggestions and discussed how they represented Monclova Primary and AWLS.
A theme started to emerge. The students landed on a space concept that reflected the District’s mission of empowering students to be future ready. They wanted to see rockets, planets, bright colors and the school’s facility dog, Laney represented. As the fourth graders discussed getting ready to move on to Fallen Timbers Middle School, they thought each building could be represented by a planet - with the rocket making stops along the way before blasting off to their futures. The students also suggested that the mural should be fun and interactive in some way.
As the student sketches turned into a mural mockup, Dean visited with the AWHS Art Club to gather their input and gauge their interest in participating in the project.
A Vision Becomes Reality
Dean took the students' ideas and began to plan. Working with Betsey, Shawnacy and the Student Council representatives, sketches turned into a design that included as many of the ideas shared by the fourth grade students as possible. The final mockup was approved by District administrators in the spring of 2025, and it was time to make the project a reality.
Celebrating and Giving Back
A dedication ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 27 to celebrate the completion of the mural. Guest speakers included Mrs. Betsey Murray, Principal; Mrs. Shaunacy Miller, MAPS Representative and Project Coordinator; Mr. Dean Davis, Artist; and the 4th Grade Student Council Representatives. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Davis presented a $1,000 donation to Monclova Primary in support of the fine arts.
About the Mural
The 12’ x 74’ mural is part of the playground located behind Monclova Primary School. It tells a story, with students leaving their primary days at planet Monclova Primary, ready to change the world and blasting off to their next adventure at Fallen Timbers Middle School. The rocket continues on its journey landing next at planet Anthony Wayne Junior High where the academic and activity variety becomes available to students and starts to shape their hobbies and interests. The next destination is planet Anthony Wayne High School. This planet resembles a city - the last big stop on their adventure to the many options that await each student upon graduation. The final image is the rocket blasting off to the future, with students knowing, that AWLS has made them future ready.
Included in the piece are astronauts, Laney the school facility dog who will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year, along with the school’s new dog - a black lab. Students and visitors to the mural are encouraged to find 33 AW symbols, representing the Class of 2033. A QR code leads visitors to this webpage where they can read more about the project.
About the Artist
The mural is signed by Davis and AWHS artist,
Carly Hemmelgarn.Since 1996, Dean Davis has worked with a wide variety of mediums and has excelled in airbrushing, tattooing and graphic media. Dean has spent many long days in local shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, churches, schools, barns etc., applying beauty through the strokes of his paintbrush and the waves of his spray paints. For 16 years, he honed his gift during his very minimal free time from his railroad employment, and was recently able to retire from the railroad to work full-time as an artist due to his passion, tenacity and determination. Dean spends most of his time on projects in the communities around him, but he also works from his home studio, where he not only hand-stretches his own canvases for private custom painting orders, but also welcomes a plethora of various items from clients to customize for them, from hockey helmets to motorcycles to children’s sneakers.
Davis is known for his work on the Glass City River Wall and Maumee River Gallery Project. He is also the founder of the River Gallery Studio and Foundation which aims to enhance and expand the art of Toledo by providing classes for artists and a gallery to showcase their work.
Dean Davis and Shawnacy MillerSpecial Thanks
Monclova Area Parents (MAPS)
Monclova Primary Generals Council & 4th Grade Class
Mr. Dean Davis, Muralist
Miss Carly Hemmelgarn ('25), AWHS Senior Artist
Sunbelt Rentals of Maumee
Mrs. Betsey Murry, Monclova Primary Principal
Mrs. Jill Bigelow, Monclova Primary Dean of Students
Mr. Chris Buehrer, Monclova Primary School Counselor
Mrs. Alyssa Hodge, Monclova Primary Art Teacher
Mrs. Carrie Flagg, AWHS Art Teacher
Dr. Kevin Pfefferle, AWHS Principal