Rayen school mural to go on display

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A mural that graced a hallway at the former Rayen School on Benita Avenue for decades will again be on display to the public at a downtown museum.

The mural, 6 feet high and 65 feet long, was created in the 1958-59 school year by Rayen art teacher John Benninger and his students and adorned a hallway at the North Side high school, which was demolished several years ago. It depicts a street scene in front of the school.

After being removed and cleaned by an art conservation expert, the mural was turned over on permanent loan to the Mahoning Valley Historical Society by the Youngstown school board.

The MVHS contracted with other professionals to stabilize the artwork and construct a viewing stand. The work was finished in November.

Beginning Friday, the mural will go on display on the third floor of the historical society’s Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown. The viewing stand has rolls at each end that allows it to be scrolled and viewed in 11-foot segments.

The project was funded by the Rayen School Alumni, Edward W. Powers Charitable Fund and the W.E. Bliss Foundation as part of The Campaign for the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center.

The public can view the mural as part of admission to the Tyler History Center. The center is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors 65 and older and college students, and $2 for children.