Waterville mural taking shape on Mechanic Street

WATERVILLE – It’s been 183 years since the Albert White passed through Waterville on its way from Fort Wayne to Toledo, signaling the opening of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Filled in during the 1920s and 1930s, the canal later became the Anthony Wayne Trail.

Now, a painting of that first canal boat adorns a wall on Mechanic Street, which once served as a millrace from the canal to the Maumee River. Earlier this week, artist Dean Davis began sketching the second of five images that will adorn the 80-foot-by-18-foot wall under a “Welcome To Waterville” banner – all part of the city’s first public mural.

“We’ve been talking about public art for a while. It’s a really important piece of the community and gives everybody an opportunity to engage and have conversations about it,” said Lisa Exner, vice president of the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission (AWAAC). “It helps boost pride in the community.”

With $7,000 from AWAAC fundraising and a $5,000 donation from the Waterville Community Foundation, plus the blessing of building owner Scott Prephan, the AWAAC sought out Davis, who is known for his work on the Glass City River Wall, Holcim Silos, Weckerly Road America 250 barn and nearly 100 other murals in northwest Ohio and beyond.

The mural ties in beautifully with America’s 250 celebration – recognizing Waterville’s history and future.

“We had a conversation about the rich history in Waterville. We started with 20 photos and discussed each one. We picked out the ones that show how Waterville started, and how it looks to the future,” Exner said.

In addition to the canal boat, the mural will include Native American Chief Little Turtle, Wakeman Hall, the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge and an American eagle in flight.

Wearing a Meta headset, Davis quickly marked in the lines for where he will paint the Wakeman Hall exterior, using spray paint and an air brush. The augmented reality (AR) glasses are a game changer, Davis said, eliminating the need to go to a scene at night to use a projector to trace the image on the wall.

“My philosophy is to adapt and learn rather than trying to buck technology,” he said, talking as he sketched. “Now I can put in my workday and not wake up at 3 a.m. to project on the wall when it’s dark.”

Davis worked with AWAAC and Waterville’s Historic District Commission, then drew the rendering in his Art Farm studio just a few minutes away from downtown Waterville. As he draws, and then paints on the prepped wall, he’ll make minor adjustments to give the mural more life, such as making the edges to the “photographs” pop more. 

This is the first time Davis has worked with the AWAAC, but he’s familiar with the group and its multiple events.

“These people really are artists, and I think that’s got a lot of merit. Working with these people has been a game changer,” he said. “I think Waterville is looking at public art with a different lens.”

Davis is involved in the 100 Works of Art initiative, a long-term effort to install murals throughout Lucas County. He is also the founder of River Gallery Studio, an artist-led initiative dedicated to creating sustainable pathways for young artists to stay and thrive in the Toledo area. He often works with youth in area schools, including Anthony Wayne. Last year he finished a mural on the wall near Monclova Primary School, incorporating ideas from students.

While this is the first public art piece commissioned by the AWAAC, more plans are on the horizon. Five kinetic wind sculptures from Utah artist Lyman Whitaker will arrive in the city in a few weeks, and be installed along the Maumee River near the Parker Square overlook.

“We certainly would like to contribute to the beauty of all three communities in the Anthony Wayne area, along with other places. Right now we’ve started with Waterville, and we hope we will see some more public artwork,” Exner said.

Davis expects to complete painting the project by the end of May.