A nationally recognized artist from Omaha collaborated with a number of students and created a mural in Omaha elementary school

OMAHA, Nebraska – The unveiling of a mural depicting a schoolhouse with a purpose.

The final piece was the result of a collaboration between a number of students and an Omaha-based artist who is known on a national scale. The students, as they consider the mural in which they are represented along with their thoughts, start to realize just how permanent and large they are as reflected in art. This realization comes about as the students reflect on the mural.

Jackson Chambers expressed his position by saying, “I’m on the other side of her with my hands up.”

According to Makhai Lamar-Hill, he intends to demonstrate it to his children at some point in the future.

“And tell them the complete story of it,” said Lamar-Hill. “It’s important that they understand.”

Shaniya Black did not enjoy coloring or drawing in the past, but recently she has found the desire to do so.

“We contributed equally to its creation. We collaborated our efforts, and we got the ball rolling on it,” stated Black.

Watie White is the name of the artist that created the mural.

“Not everyone is going to see it, but the ones who do see it will have a lengthier reward of being interested about what’s in the mural,” said White. “It’s going to be a great conversation piece.”

In the fall of 2016, he spent a week in the fall with the pupils of Nelson Mandela Elementary School collaborating on ideas and developing something from the viewpoint of a child.

The meerkat is the institution’s unofficial animal mascot. It can be found in many parts of the mural. Because the story focuses on the value of literacy and reading, the setting is a library.

Even Allen Lozier, the former head of the Lozier the fixture company and a pillar of the North Omaha community when it comes to philanthropy, can be seen in the corner riding a rocket.

“Have Allen be present without being very visible because Allen was not someone who really wanted a lot of attention and focus on him,” said Tre Brashear, of the Lozier Foundation. “Have Allen be present without being very visible because Allen was not someone who wanted to be the center of attention.”

Even more credit can be earned by looking closely at the mural; it contains letters written on books of varying hues. A coded message, devised by the children, can be deciphered using those.

The Lozier Foundation received a donation to cover the mural.

Allen Lozier, who is depicted in the mural that is painted on the rocket, passed away a year ago.