News Details

May 2026

An exciting large-scale public art project is coming to life at the Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, thanks to grant funding from the Wayne Township Education Foundation.

Ashley Burosh, art teacher at the Ninth Grade Center, says the project will engage hundreds of students while celebrating the school’s 20th anniversary.

“Students ask almost daily when they will have the opportunity to go outside and begin spray painting,” Burosh said, adding that it has been that way since the beginning of the semester, when the Public Art and Spray Paint Project was introduced.

The mural itself was carefully designed through a collaboration of student ideas, school pride, and artistic inspiration. Students expressed strong interest in incorporating spray paint into the artwork, which inspired the cloud imagery featured in the design. The mural’s color palette was also intentionally selected to complement another mural completed by the art department nearly a decade ago. Most importantly, the artwork serves as a celebration of the Ninth Grade Center’s 20-year milestone and the students who continue to shape its community.

Once completed, the mural will stand as one of the largest pieces Burosh has attempted. The final installation will measure approximately 6 feet by 9 feet and will consist of three separate polyacrylic panels displayed outdoors in the Ninth Grade Center’s west courtyard. Because the project is an outdoor installation, weather conditions will play a role in the timeline, with the goal of unveiling the finished mural next year.

For Burosh, finally launching the project after months of planning brings both excitement and challenge.

“Creating a large-scale public artwork comes with many moving parts and challenges that are not always fully predictable,” she said. “However, we are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to honor our students and celebrate the Ninth Grade Center through this mural. We are excited to see the lasting impact it will have on both the school and the broader community.”

Burosh emphasized that the project would not be possible without the support of the Wayne Township Education Foundation. Beyond helping fund the mural itself, the grant has provided lasting resources and supplies that will continue benefiting the art program well into the future. Those materials will allow students to participate in more hands-on creative experiences while expanding the variety and quality of projects offered in the classroom for years to come.

ABOUT THE WAYNE TOWNSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Wayne Township Education Foundation (WTEF) provides community leadership to enrich, engage, and stimulate teaching and learning in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township. WTEF accomplishes this by supporting school programs and resources, while recognizing excellence among students and staff. To learn more about WTEF, call 317-988-7966, visit wtef.wayne.k12.in.us, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @WayneTwpEdFound.