DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur artist is celebrating diversity and education with a mural at the new Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School.
The mural — titled “Practice Flight” — will be a part of the Macon County African American Heritage Trail. It was commissioned by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Untold Stories Committee.
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The HICF said local artist Antonio Burton (also known as Toni Picasso, ALB Artwork) is creating the mural.
“This mural is a reminder to every child and adult, that this school is intended to prep our students for flight towards their dreams and there will be support along the way. To assist with them being able to fly and reach the height of their dreams,” Burton said.
The new trail is funded with grant money from the Lumpkin Family Foundation, a non-profit based in Mattoon, and Healing Illinois, which is an initiative between the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Field Foundation of Illinois.
“This project is more than just art – it’s a celebration of diversity and the power of education. It’s about dreams taking flight. And the mural will be a source of inspiration for students and the community,” the HICF wrote in a post on Facebook.
The Decatur School District broke ground on the Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School in 2023. The school district purchased Oak Grove Park from the park district in March, 2025 — meant to expand greenspace for student use and marking one of the final steps before the new school would open. The first day of school is slated for Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Click here to check out the mural on the HICF’s Facebook page.
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