How Otterbein’s Maker Space Helped Bring America250 to Life

By Tyler Sharrock ’28

As part of the America250 Westerville Mural Project, Otterbein University’s Maker Space has played an important role in printing and installing 12  large-scale vinyl murals designed to honor the people, places, and perspectives that have shaped the community. Students Emmy Caton and Karen Morguchi, and Curtis Smith, Maker Space and laboratory manager, shared their experiences working on the project and what they hope the murals bring to the city.

How are the murals created and installed? 

Curtis Smith: “After the city selected the artist and locations, we received the artwork and hired four students to work on the project. I taught them how to print the murals on our vinyl printer and how to install them. Ten of the murals are outdoors, and two are indoors.” 

How long does the process take? 

Curtis Smith: “Once the files are ready, each mural takes about one to two hours to print. Installation usually takes another 30 to 40 minutes depending on the location.”  

What interested you the most about working on the project?  

Emmy Caton: “It was a really cool opportunity. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m very interested in art, making things, and getting hands-on. Amercia250 only happens once, so it’s been really interesting. I’ve had the chance to learn new skills.” 

What are some of your favorite murals and why?

Emmy Caton: “My favorite is probably the mural at the Westerville Area Resource Ministry. I love the colors and style, and I think it’s a really nice way to imagine the future of Westerville. I also really like the Women in the Arts mural because it’s a topic that matters a lot to me as a woman in art.” 

Karen Morguchi: “I really like the mural at City Hall. It has a stylish vibe with lots of colors, and I love that it includes horses.” 

Curtis Smith: “I really like the murals on Otterbein’s Cowan Hall, especially the mural honoring Albert Exendine. I also really like the murals inside the Westerville Public Library because they highlight the history of the people who were here before us.” 

Is there a particular mural you’re excited for the people to see? 

Emmy Caton: “I’m excited for the mural at Roush Hardware because it’s different from the others.” 

What do you hope these murals bring to the community? 

Emmy Caton: “I hope they bring greater awareness and appreciation for stories in Westerville that people may not always know about. I also hope they encourage more students and community members to get involved with the Maker Space because I think many people don’t realize they can use it.” 

Curtis Smith: “The Maker Space benefits the community in several ways. We hire students and complete projects throughout the year, and community members are welcome to use the space as well. Our students help train and guide community members as they create their own projects.” 

What do you enjoy most about working in the makerspace? 

Emmy Caton said, “I personally just like the opportunity to learn new skills. Working with the large roll printer is something I have never done before. I love building and making things, so working in the makerspace has been such a great opportunity.”