PEMBERVILLE, Ohio — A few miles past a sign welcoming visitors to the sleepy village of Pemberville, Ohio, people are greeted by a striking new mural on the feed mill at the intersection of Bierley Avenue and East Front Street.
Standing 80 feet tall, the Countyline Co-Op feed mill has been carefully painted with a field of sunflowers overlooking a river. In the background sits a classic red barn, as a bald eagle flies past fluffy, sunlit clouds.
The Pemberville Mural Project was spearheaded by Roberta Reiter, whose goal was to enhance the village's aesthetic qualities. She led both the fund-raising and the decision-making for the production of the painting.
“I am truly amazed at the force of Roberta Reiter,” Pemberville Mayor Carol Bailey said. “I've always known she was special, but this put her up a peg or two.”
Last July, Mrs. Reiter proposed the idea to beautify the village to Mrs. Bailey. Mrs. Bailey, who was initially supportive of the idea but concerned about the time and money the project would require, was shocked at how fast Mrs. Reiter was able to bring it to fruition.
The creation of the mural was entirely funded by donations from individuals, families, and some businesses, with the fund-raising goal set at $30,200. Together, Mrs. Reiter and Mrs. Bailey were able to raise enough money for the project through the Pemberville Mural Project website they created and by delivering letters that promoted the project to all Pemberville residents.
“The ladies there were able to raise the funds, and once they secured the funds, that was really powerful,” said Dean Davis, the muralist. “I really knew that they were serious about it. It was all done themselves. That’s what’s so beautiful. That’s what it takes.”
Mr. Davis was able to complete the 80-foot by 80-foot endeavor in about a month, all while simultaneously working on another project. He is the owner and CEO of his own art business, Art Farm, and also does tattoos and paints portraits.
A native of Whitehouse, Ohio, Mr. Davis has worked on numerous murals in northwest Ohio, including the Glass City River Wall overlooking the Maumee River in downtown Toledo. He was the crew chief for the Glass City River Wall, which was the art that inspired Mrs. Reiter to start the Pemberville Mural Project and hire Mr. Davis to perform the job.
“I free-handed that whole piece. And I think that the big takeaway there was the fact that that was accomplished by a human. What I did there — I’m proud of it,” Mr. Davis said. “It's probably more of a statement piece than my involvement on the big silos down on the [Maumee] river. I think that that piece [in Pemberville] trumps that just because the design itself really takes advantage of the surface area.”
Mr. Davis, Mrs. Reiter, and Pat Rollins — another member of the Art Committee with Mrs. Reiter — worked on the design together.
According to Mrs. Rollins, the group wanted the design to be “specifically Pemberville.” They felt the hallmark forked river that passes through Pemberville, a barn to represent all of the local farming, and an eagle would best allow people to feel a connection “Peaceful Pemberville,” as the village is colloquially known. Mr. Davis said that the backbone of the mural was the inspiration he took from an “old, beautiful postcard” that the Art Committee found.
“I really am grateful for the people themselves. The community itself was really, really amazing,” Mr. Davis said. “They were very kind to me when I was out there.
“It's a wonderful thing for the village,” Mrs. Bailey said, regarding the new mural. Mrs. Reiter added that it's “very gratifying” to hear all of the positive comments about the project from her peers.
First Published June 9, 2024, 3:32 p.m.
