A beloved piece of public art has been given new life in downtown Wayne, Nebraska, as the Wayne Centennial Mural has been fully restored to its original vibrant colors. More than 40 years after local artist Carlos Frey first painted the iconic artwork in 1984, the mural now graces the wall of Wayne Eyecare with renewed brilliance, thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Wayne, Colorado-based artist Karl Reeder, and Wayne Eyecare.
The restoration project began taking shape approximately three years ago when Wayne Mayor Jill Brodersen, who oversees the city's public art committee, initiated discussions about expanding public art throughout the community. The mural, prominently displayed on the north side of the eye care clinic, quickly became a top priority due to its deteriorated condition. Over the decades, the once-vibrant colors had significantly faded, and the building's surface had suffered considerable wear.
"In 1984, the colors were so vibrant and bold," Brodersen explained. "And now the colors are faded, and the reds looked like pink." The original artist, Carlos Frey, who once taught art at Wayne State College and operated a local studio, had created the mural as a gift to the community. Before his death, Frey had given the city specific instructions regarding the artwork's future maintenance.
According to Brodersen, Frey had provided clear guidance: "He said, one, either find a professional artist to repaint it, or, two, whitewash over it. Of course, we didn't want to whitewash it, because it's just a beautiful mural." This directive led the city to begin searching for a qualified artist capable of undertaking the delicate restoration work.
The search eventually led to Karl Reeder, a Colorado-based muralist who had previously created several large-scale works in Norfolk, Nebraska, including the well-known Johnny Carson mural. Reeder's connection to the project extended beyond his artistic credentials – he had personally known Carlos Frey during his time in Nebraska, making the restoration especially meaningful to him. "It was kind of an honor being able to re-create that mural that he did 40 years ago," Reeder reflected.
Initially, the city had planned for Reeder to paint directly over the original mural. However, upon inspecting the wall, Reeder determined that a different approach would be necessary for long-term preservation. The brick and stucco surface had developed cracks and structural shifts over the years, making direct painting unsuitable for a lasting restoration. "The brick and stucco surface had cracked and shifted over time. Painting directly on it would have meant another restoration in just a few years," officials noted.
Instead, Reeder proposed an innovative solution: painting the mural on MDO (Medium Density Overlay) panels in his Colorado studio, which could then be mounted to the building like a large billboard. This approach would not only protect the original mural underneath but also ensure the new artwork's preservation for years to come. The method represented a modern solution that balanced historical preservation with practical longevity.
Reeder dedicated several months to the meticulous restoration work, relying on historical photographs and Frey's original sketches as his primary guides. While Frey's original design was characterized by its graphic and structured approach, and Reeder's personal style leans more toward traditional painting techniques, the Colorado artist remained committed to honoring the intent and color palette of the 1984 original.
"They had the old rendering that he did when he proposed this mural, and that was really helpful," Reeder said. "The coloring and everything was really exact. In fact, I think it ended up a little brighter than the original from his drawing." The restoration process required careful attention to detail to ensure historical accuracy while incorporating modern preservation techniques.
The completed mural measures approximately 48 feet wide and 14 feet tall, requiring Reeder to work in manageable sections over several weeks. Once completed in his studio, the artist faced the logistical challenge of transporting the panels more than 500 miles from Colorado to Nebraska. Reeder and his wife, Brenda, successfully installed the panels in mid-September, timing the completion perfectly with Wayne's homecoming weekend celebrations. Later that month, Reeder returned to apply a protective clear coat, ensuring the artwork's long-term durability.
For Reeder, returning to Nebraska for the project served as a reminder of why he enjoys creating public art in the state. "It was really nice – the hospitality in Nebraska, it always is there," he observed. "There's a lot of places in the world that you can paint and do things, and I guess for me, it was a good reminder getting back there. It was kind of neat to put another piece up in Nebraska for us."
The staff at Wayne Eyecare has expressed tremendous pride in the mural's restoration. The team had observed the artwork's gradual deterioration over the years and had approached the city about preservation efforts. Katherine Rosenbaum of Wayne Eyecare emphasized the significance of the project: "It had always been a meaningful part of the building, and we felt strongly that it should be preserved. This wasn't just about freshening up a wall – it was about keeping a piece of Wayne's story alive for the future."
The Wayne Centennial Mural depicts the town's characteristic rolling hills, agricultural fields, and courthouse nestled within the landscape, serving as a visual representation of the community's setting and spirit. The artwork continues to function as both a landmark and a reflection of local identity, connecting residents and visitors to the area's heritage.
Community response to the restoration has been overwhelmingly positive. Mayor Brodersen reported receiving no negative feedback about the project. "Everybody loves it," she said. "People are very excited about it. They're happy to see it back up." Rosenbaum echoed this sentiment from the business perspective: "We've noticed how much nicer it looks, and we're proud to come to work in a building that showcases something so special."
For Reeder, witnessing the final installation brought deep professional satisfaction. "It was kind of neat to see the overlap where the new mural was going into the old mural and how it actually really lined up perfectly," he explained. "Standing back having it all finished, it was pretty rewarding. It was quite a process getting this thing done and there and installed."
The innovative panel system not only ensures the artwork's longevity but also provides flexibility for future preservation efforts. Should circumstances require it, the panels could potentially be relocated to another site, preserving both Frey's original vision and Reeder's faithful tribute for future generations. This forward-thinking approach represents a model for historic art preservation in small communities.
For Mayor Brodersen, the successful restoration embodies the community values the project was designed to promote. "It's so important to have amenities in our town that just make the quality of life," she emphasized. "Those little pieces of art kind of just scattered throughout our community – I think it's important to have that, just a little glimmer of art sprinkled throughout the community." The project demonstrates how collaborative efforts between government, business, and artists can successfully preserve cultural heritage while enhancing community pride and identity.
