Westerville 250th Murals - Otterbeiin Women In The Arts - Artist Zach Cardoza
Otterbein Women in the Arts: Curators of Expression
Curators of Expression honors Ruth “Petie” Dodrill and Harriet Thompson, two women whose work helped establish and strengthen the arts in Westerville.
Created by Zach Cardoza, with digital production support from Brooke Cardoza, the mural presents the two women together. Cardoza describes the work as more than a dual portrait. By linking Dodrill and Thompson in a single composition, he shows how their separate careers shared a common purpose: creating opportunities for artistic expression and helping the arts take root in the community.
Harriet Thompson played a foundational role in art education at Otterbein University. From 1872 to 1893, she was, for much of that period, the university’s entire Art Department. Art instruction was then offered outside the regular curriculum, with students paying Thompson directly and receiving no grades or academic credit. Even so, enrollment grew under her guidance. She also painted portraits of prominent Otterbein figures, including founder Lewis Davis and professor and president Henry Adams Thompson.
Ruth “Petie” Dodrill shaped Westerville’s performing arts through her work as an educator, director, and costume designer. A longtime Otterbein faculty member, she designed costumes for more than 100 productions and helped establish Children’s Theatre in 1962, bringing performances for young audiences to both the campus and the wider community. Alongside her husband, Dr. Charles Dodrill, she helped build Otterbein’s respected theater program. She also led the Speech and Theater Department at Gahanna Lincoln High School for 30 years, mentoring generations of students.
The mural is located on the south wall of Cowan Hall at Otterbein University, 30 S. Grove St., off W. Park St.
As part of the Westerville 250 Mural Project, Curators of Expression recognizes two trailblazers whose influence can still be felt in classrooms, galleries, theaters, and performances throughout the community.
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