Walldogs Take Talents to Centerville, IA

For more than two decades, the Walldogs, a loose affiliation of signmakers and artists that passionately practices the art of traditional mural painting, have been embellishing America – “one town at a time”, as they say. On the heels of the group’s recent meet in Shipshewana, IN (see ST, August 2014, page 64), a smaller group converged in Centerville, IA to adorn three of its downtown walls with murals. Nancy Bennett, a signmaker and muralist who owns Centerville-based Dannco, served as the event’s host and fundraiser.

Each mural reflected a local theme. Jay Allen, owner of Shawcraft Signs (Machesney Park, IL); Doug Haffner, operator of Galesburg, IL-based Haffner’s Fantastic Creations (Galesburg, IL); and Houston-based muralist Anat Ronen collaborated on “Around the World in 91 Hours”, which honors Mystic, IA native Albert Lodwick, who served as Howard Hughes’ flight engineer – without him, Hughes’ legendary 1938 across-the-globe flight would’ve been impossible. With Art Deco-esque border accents, typography and a sepia-toned headshot, the mural practically transports the viewer to the day of Hughes’ (and Lodwick’s) epic achievement. The 3-D mural was installed on the north-facing wall of Centerville’s R & M Furniture.

Bill Hueg, owner of Westminster, CO’s Peacock Studios, designed a mural that honors the 1921 silent film The Wonderful Thing, which was filmed locally in Appanoose County, and its star, Norma Talmadge. Talmadge’s graceful visage looms in the foreground, and depictions of Centerville’s train station, and the farm at which the movie was filmed, provide picturesque background scenery. Carole Bersin, a Minneapolis-based muralist and signmaker, and Alicia Rheal, a Madison, WI-based painter, assisted Hueg in bringing his vision to life. The mural, which was applied to rigid panels supported by a metal frame, is currently situated outside Dannco. However, it will eventually be moved to the outside walls of the local newspaper, The Daily Iowegan.

Finally, David and Suze Butler, who operate Syracuse, IN-based Butler Design Agency, and Tomahawk, WI-based muralist Andy Goretski, paid homage to Pancake Day, a late-September Centerville tradition since 1949 that complements eating copious flapjacks with a parade, craft show and beauty pageant. The All-American depiction of a smiling, rosy-cheeked boy with a plate full of pancakes seems worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting, and stands proudly on the second-story wall of Jenz Trends on North 13th St. in Centerville.

Thanks to all these brothers and sisters of the brush who honor signmaking tradition.