Teamwork by design: Regina students unite to create mural

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

Regina student Savannah Dickey felt honored and excited when a staff member asked if she would be interested in creating a mural for the Early Childhood Center’s outdoor classroom. “I had some free time and I thought it could be fun to do,” the incoming junior said.

No one knew the exact dimensions of the wall at the time, but it was taller than Savannah and several meters wide. “It was my first time doing something on this scale,” she said.

She knew the project was too big to tackle alone, so she teamed up with friend and fellow art classmate Riley Houser. The girls have been close friends since Savannah, a Protestant, moved from Georgia to Iowa in eighth grade. “It’s a huge wall,” said Riley, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville. “I did it mostly to support Savannah as a friend, but it was also a full circle moment. I’ve been going to Regina since preschool.” She thought it would be a cool way to leave her mark on Regina.

Savannah and Riley worked together to create six design options for Michala Cox, the Early Childhood Center director. The outdoor classroom “needed brightening,” Cox said. “I was dreaming about how nice it would be if we had a mural.” She wasn’t expecting to have so many design choices. Savannah and Riley’s creativity and their desire to work on a volunteer basis impressed Cox. “They were some of the most professional, kind and polite students I could have imagined working with.”

The educator selected a blue, orange and green floral design with a black background and the words “Grow in Christ” in lavender at the center. Savannah was thrilled with Cox’s choice. “I think (that) one was my favorite, as well,” Savannah said. She sees the design as a visual reminder that faith “is not just some traditional, bleak thing; it can be very beautiful.”

Savannah and Riley spent about a week in July completing the mural with help from classmates Abby Santillan, Gretchen Gerke and Evan Schemmel. The days were long and hot, but the group got along well and had a lot of fun, Cox observed. “There was always music playing. They had a blast!” The team used acrylic outdoor paint because of its ability to withstand temperature fluctuations and extreme weather. “It turned out better than I hoped for,” Savannah said.

The completed mural is 7 feet high and 36 feet wide. It will be visible not just to ECC students and staff, but to all students walking outdoors from the high school wing to the lunchroom. “I hope it inspires other people because of the message it portrays,” Riley said.

Evan’s mom, Shane Schemmel, works at Regina and took photos for the school’s social media pages. She estimates the mural took about 60 hours from design to final brush stroke. “These students have done a great job demonstrating the ‘Regal Way’ by using their artistic talents in service to the school,” she said, referencing the school’s team name.

Cox hopes the mural inspires joy from students and others who see it. She also hopes the students who painted it feel a sense of accomplishment for serving the school in this unique, creative way. “I hope they are so proud of the work they have done. It’s just another way to bring the community together.”