Liz thanked Rotary for making this happen. She shared that she was asked by Roger to speak at a Lincoln 14 Rotary Club Meeting in 2021. She shared her concerns about the future of the mural knowing that the demolition of the Pershing Auditorium was surely coming soon. She learned that there were no plans for retention of the mural. Tim Kenny, a member of Lincoln 14 Rotary, stated his interest and soon the committee was formed - Liz Shea-McCoy, Roger Lempke and Tim Kenny.
From the beginning they contacted the City and learned that they would need to conduct a feasibility study. That study would determine if there were any asbestos concerns and if it was actually possible to separate the tiles from the building and preserve them.
That study came with a $15,000 price tag - the funds were raised by the committee for that aspect of the project. Liz noted how incredibly fortunate we are to have such generous Nebraskans - to support special projects like this.
Some of the information in this article has been taken from items posted to the internet due to technical issues with hearing and recording the meeting.
Roger Lempke shared some of the details of the work. There are 763,000 square-inch ceramic tiles making up the 140′ x 38′ mosaic built in 1957. The depicts 38 figures engaged in various activities such as opera, circus acts and historical events in Nebraska's history.
The committee wanted to move the mural - and searched for a suitable location. They were able to make connection with the Wyuka Park and Cemetery. The plan includes landscaping, placing the mural on a free-standing structure atop a retaining wall, and amphitheater seating.
The project includes multiple phases - raising funds, dismantling the mural, restoration and installing in a new location.There has been $3million raised and they are looking for $1.2million more to finish the project.
Dismantling the mural took 18 days in August 2022. They took down the mural, using specialized tools, tile-by-tile - 42,389 tiles per day.
They have been cleaning and polishing the tiles - realizing that the mural was not cleaned during its life on the Pershing Auditorium. They are reassembling them into the complex mural using drone pictures to guide them. Some missing or damaged tiles needed to be replaced.
The tiles are being placed on "sheets" being meticulous about the spacing to ensure accurate depiction. those sheets can then be put in place on the mural wall. The plan is to start installing the tiles onto the new wall in Wyuka this summer. This work is being done in a secure location where they will be stored until installation.
Liz shared that there is large educational piece that is being developed. Through Nebraska Humanities, there were 17 different lesson plans developed that include all student and teacher materials. The plans are free to any schools and home school students in Nebraska. They are also working on a tactile curriculum for the visually impaired. There is a great deal about the curriculum that has developed / being developed at
https://www.nshsf.org/projects/pershing-mural-curriculum/.
She shared that she has been continually amazed by the layers of inspiration - the excitement is far-reaching. And, she repeated, Nebraskans are very generous and they love their history.
BIOS
BIO - Roget Lempke
Lt Gen (NE, ret.) Roger Lempke retired in January 2020. Prior to that he served as the Director for Military Affairs for Senator Deb Fischer and Senator Mike Johanns. In this capacity he supported policy development and accomplished case work for military veterans. As the former Adjutant General for Nebraska, he organized and led the Nebraska National Guard through its largest mobilization since WWII in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Roger has served terms as president of the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska (BIANE), Nebraska Sports Council, NEBRASKAland Foundation, Seniors Foundation, and Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation.
Roger was named the 2007 Nebraskan of Year by the Nebraska Rotary organization and honored as a Trailblazer by the NEBRASKAland Foundation in 2008
Roger was born and raised in Tecumseh, Nebraska, and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1969. He and his wife Shirlee, also a Tecumseh native, have lived in Lincoln since 1979 and have two adult children, eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
BIO - Liz Shea-McCoy
Brief Bio
Liz Shea-McCoy's public-minded spiritedness continues in the area of the Arts to enrich both individuals and organization, creating a more beautiful world.
Her passion for directing large-scale Public Arts Projects showcasing artists and their creative gifts has transformed Nebraska communities into bigger-than-life outdoor galleries. Additionally, Liz has led the effort to save the iconic Pershing Mural from its planned destruction to ultimate restoration and eventual installation within the Park area of the Wyuka State Historic Cemetery.
Extensive Bio
Liz Shea-McCoy is an advocate for children and artists in celebrating the Arts in Nebraska and beyond with consistent excellence in the areas of art exhibition/collaboration /creation, teaching humanitarian efforts and leadership. She has won local, state and national recognition for her work as an exhibiting Artist. As a lifelong educator, she works with the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Rural Teaching Artist Initiative, traveling throughout the state, collaborating with teachers, schools and organizations who want to challenge their students to express themselves artistically. Her goal when working with students is to build their self- confidence in the arts and in their own creativity.
She is currently serving as the Chair of the Pershing Mural Historic Preservation Project initiated in 2021. She has also directed and participated as an Artist in a number of large-scale Public Arts Project such as Serving Hands (2019, Lincoln), Nebraska by Heart (2017, celebrating Nebraska's Sesquicentennial), Illuminating Lincoln: Lighthouse (2015, Lincoln), An Enchanted Arboretum (Nebraska City, 2013), aCross Lincoln (2008, Lincoln), Star Art -The Star City Art Project (2007, Lincoln) and Tour de Lincoln (2003, Lincoln).
As a humanitarian and supporter of her community and State, Liz has served as the Homefront Chair for five Heartland Honor Flights, recognizing Gold Star Families and veterans of the Viet Nam conflict and WWII. Through her volunteer efforts, Liz has work with many of Lincoln's art (and civic) organizations (Sheldon Museum of Art Board of Trustees, Friends of the Haydon Art Center, Friends of Lied, Lincoln Children’s Museum, Lincoln Arts Council, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leadership Lincoln XV and Abendmusik). She is also a member of Omicron Nu and Pi Lambda Theta honor societies.
Other organizations and entities have recognized Liz’ excellence in her art, teaching and contributions to the community; she has been awarded the Prism Award (Nebraska Art Teachers Association), Distinguished Service Award (Lincoln Center Kiwanis), Distinguished Alumni Award (Lincoln High School), Spirit of Hope Award (Mourning Hope Grief Center), Diana Award (Distinguished International Academy of Noble Achievement), Mayor’s Art Award for Leadership, Mayor’s Choice Award, and Lincoln Women’s Entrepreneurial Award In Excellence.
