For most Normal West High School students and staff members, the school stairwell murals are a centerpiece of the building, and an ever-present staple of Normal West’s history.
Due to their permanence, many of the building’s inhabitants wonder what the origin of these murals are, as well as who the artist behind the works is.
According to Dr. John Bierbaum (Social Studies Department Chair, Social Studies teacher), the Paw Print covered this story in the December 13th, 1996 issue-coincidentally, almost exactly 28 years ago from the publication of this issue of the Paw Print.
In the article written by student reporter Christine Huddleston, the mural’s creator, class of 1998 Jenny Riethmaier, is introduced.
“Riethmaier had started a small airbrushing business called Sideline,” Dr. Bierbaum summarizes the article, “in which she and co-worker/friend Rob Robertson took on many airbrushing projects throughout Unit 5 at various junior highs and elementary schools.”
After working on Sideline for some time, the students’ creations caught the attention of then principal, Jerry Crabtree.
In turn, he “gave them almost complete freedom to express the ‘different variations of the Wildcat’ throughout the school.
After the implementation of these airbrushed artworks, it was Crabtree’s opinion that the murals “really spruced up the school.”
In fact, Crabtree was so impressed with Riethmaier’s work that he commissioned her to create a design containing Normal West’s mission statement.
This mission statement is one of many artifacts belonging to the school’s 30 year anniversary time capsule.
Riethmaier’s art style has become a cornerstone of Normal West’s image and outward appearance for the past thirty years.
However, with time comes change, and seniors Lena Ganschow and Natalie Soukoulski are working toward designing new murals for the school’s staircases, with student input deciding the content of said murals.
Keep an eye out for the opportunity to vote on which designs you would like to see come to life within the halls of Normal West!
