Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
On Sept. 19, officials at Clay High School unveiled a new landmark mural on the exterior of the Harold R. Potter Fieldhouse, which was created by local artist and 1996 Clay graduate Dean Davis.
The idea for the mural first took shape a year ago when Davis, a nationally-recognized muralist, returned to campus for the September 2024 homecoming game.
During his visit, Principal Jim Jurski and athletic director Joe Kiss met with Davis to envision how a refreshed mural could enhance the fieldhouse’s entrance, while also embodying the legacy of excellence and resilience that defines the school. Over the course of the school year, the team explored concepts and funding opportunities.
By spring 2025, the Oregon Schools Foundation had secured private donor support to bring the project to life. With final design approval from the Oregon Board of Education, Davis began work on Sept. 2, transforming the space into a striking work of art.
“This mural is a celebration of Clay pride and our connection to the community,” Jurski said. “It’s especially meaningful that it was created by one of our own, honoring Clay’s past while inspiring its future.”
Measuring approximately 3,200 square feet, the mural is believed to be the largest on a public school campus in Ohio.
That distinction is especially meaningful, as the artist himself is a proud Clay alum, and Davis was appreciative in a Facebook post on Sept. 17, thanking the school’s foundation for their efforts in coordinating the project.
“A debt of gratitude is owed to Joe Kiss and Jim Jurski for their confidence in me to bring this project to fruition … my heart swells with gratitude towards Amy Roughton Hansen for her role in making art thrive in Oregon,” Davis said. “This project was entirely supported by private donations, which is what makes the world a better place. It’s more than what’s required.”
