By Ron OrtizIn the spring of 2004, the Royal Oak Schools WPA Murals were rediscovered after being in storage for over 25 years. The murals were created with financing by the Works Progress Administration Program that provided work relief for many unemployed persons during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Part of that program was aimed at encouraging the creative arts. This inclusion provided opportunities for unemployed artists to create music, drama and artworks such as the Royal Oak murals without having to worry about putting food on the table. The Royal Oak Mural Project was the largest WPA art project in Michigan.
The three oil-on-canvas murals in this collection each measure approximately eleven feet wide by twentythree feet long. They offer an artistic glimpse at the history and future of the Royal Oak community.
Two different artists painted the three murals. Italian immigrant Andrew Maglia worked on the first two murals. "The Naming of Royal Oak" which features Michigan's first governor, Lewis Cass shown with Chief Pontiac. Cass is believed to have given the city its name after sitting under a giant oak tree and remarking "This is truly a great royal oak." The site is still marked by a monument.
The second Magila mural is "The Cultural Arts" illustrating various creative arts and was finished shortly before federal funding for the project ended. Rather than continue the project without funds, Magila opted out of the program. When funding was restored, artist Bronislaw Makielski took over and finished the project which accounts for the difference in style on "The Royal Oak Community" the third and last of the series. This mural depicts Royal Oak High School building (now Dondero HS) and the benefits of Education.
When the three murals were finished, they were hung on the north wall of the Dondero High School auditorium until they were taken down during a school renovation in 1979. Several attempts were made to find a new home for them but because of their size, adequate space could not be found. They were rolled up and stored in crates at Addams Middle School and were subsequently moved back to Dondero High School where they were again stored out of public view. Apparently, they were not forgotten as art-minded community members are leading the efforts to have them restored and re-hung once again in the school's auditorium.
The Royal Oak School District and the Royal Oak Historical Society have combined in a joint effort to restore the paintings to their original state. Although the murals are in good condition, the years they spent in storage has taken its toll. There is much painstaking work to be done before they can be re-hung. Fortunately, since they were re-discovered last year, many art organizations and art enthusiast have embraced the restoration project and are joining the endeavor.
Restoring the murals will require a lot of private funding as no money will be allotted to the project from school funds. The joint committee is actively seeking private donations and grant money and is working in many ways to raise the money needed. They have T-shirts, postcards, posters and limited edition fine art prints for sale in this fund-raising effort. Student participation has been encouraged throughout the school system. If the committee can raise enough money, a fourth panel showing the Royal Oak community as it is today may be commissioned. Ultimately, it is the aim of the Historical Society to return the three murals to their former home at Dondero High School.
In an effort to raise area-wide awareness for these national treasures, a display about the restoration efforts along with reproductions of the murals will be at the Michigan Modernism Exposition. The Detroit Area Art Deco Society lauds the Royal Oak School District and Royal Oak Historical Society for their perseverance in this restoration project. Thanks also to Barbara Butler and Michael Butler for their generosity in donating space for this exhibit at the show.
