 |
The Royal Oak Schools Murals Project - Preparing for the future, while preserving the past ...
Press Release:
3.18.2005 - Royal Oak "Treasures" Team up with Modernism Exposition
Murals News:
During renovations to Royal Oak Dondero High School more than 20 years ago, the historic WPA murals that had hung in the auditorium for decades were put into storage.
And there they remained since 1979 — in storage, out of the public view. Despite the old saying, however, out of sight did not necessarily mean out of mind for many history– and art-minded community members. In the spring of 2004, the murals were brought out of storage and a drive has been launched to restore them and hang them once again in the school’s auditorium. There, they will be enjoyed by community members, as well as history and art buffs.
The next steps include stretching, cleaning, restoring and rehanging the canvases. The Board of Education is heading up efforts to ensure these steps are undertaken properly; it’s hoped some work on the murals can be done by volunteers. Professional assistance will, of course, be necessary as the process continues.
In addition to the restoration, it’s hoped the project will encompass research on the murals and the WPA in order to further the educational impact. Another component of the project will be fund-raising, including grant-writing, to cover costs. Private funding is necessary; no dollars will be taken from the educational budget for the project.
One goal is to encourage student participation in this ongoing project, along with other community members.