Students beautifying Wintersville with a new mural

Jun 6, 2023

MURAL CREW — Among many involved in painting a new mural on the wall just below Wintersville Methodist Cemetery are, from left, front: Leslie Clemonts, art instructor at Jefferson County Christian School; Joslyn Latynski and Airees Murtland, both students at Jefferson County Christian School; and Skylar Hardwick, a recent Indian Creek High School graduate; and back: Lizzy Meneely, Lilly Caldwell and Trenton Zimmerman, all of Jefferson County Christian School. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — An image of beauty and symbol of local pride is being added to the village through the efforts of students from two local schools.

Under the direction of Leslie Clements, art instructor at Jefferson County Christian School, teens from the school and Indian Creek High School gathered Monday morning to begin work on a new mural for the wall along Main Street just below Wintersville Methodist Cemetery.

The new mural is among projects pursued by Wintersville Council's beautification committee, which is headed by Councilwoman Gael Damron.

Earlier this year, a group of volunteers led by Bob Coppa power washed the wall, removing a decades old mural that had become faded and chipping and painted it white to create a new canvass for the students.

Clements noted Damron and others met with her and others at the schools to discuss the project.

"It was very collaborative. We had a lot of meetings," she said.

One idea that emerged from them was the motto," Wintersville — A Growing Community."

Prior to Monday, Clements used a China marker to sketch out the letters in the village's name, each about 8 feet tall, across the wall, which stands about 12 feet high and about 180 feet long, with the help of volunteers April Powell and Jackie Rice.

On Monday, she and the students set about painting large, purple flowers between the letters, which will be filled with images reflecting various aspects of Wintersville and people and things valued by its residents.

Clements said within that framework, "The kids are designing what goes inside the letters."

Among images to be depicted are mascots of the former Wintersville High School, a golden warrior; Jefferson County Christian School, a lion; a cardinal, which is Ohio's state bird and a symbol of the village's natural beauty; the Thunder in the Ville festival; and the historic cemetery that sits above the wall.

There also will be tributes to emergency first responders and past and present members of the military.

Skylar Hardwick, a recent graduate of Indian Creek High School, said she is participating in honor of her late father, Christopher, an Army veteran who hailed from Toronto and also attended Indian Creek.

"We’re going to be honoring the veterans who are no longer with us in that letter," she explained.

Clements said members of Indian Creek's student council and art students there were invited to take part while an invitation was extended to students in grades 9-12 at the smaller Christian school.

She said about 35 students from the schools are expected to participate but will be working in smaller groups because of work and other commitments.

"They’re very excited to be a part of it," said Clements.

Trenton Zimmerman, an incoming senior at Jefferson County Christian School, said, "I think it's superduper amazing. I think it's cool I get to contribute to the community and when I come back with my kids, I can tell them I contributed to that."

Clements said she hopes the project can be completed on Wednesday.

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