Meet the 2021 Artists
Athena Renova, Billings Senior High
Athena Renova – Billings Senior High School
Athena Renova, 18, has wanted the chance to paint a mural for the MasterLube War of the Walls since she was a freshman at Senior High. She’s a senior now, ready for graduation, and her dream has come true. Her design was chosen this year for the Grand Ave MasterLube store.
Athena’s design uses Senior High’s black and orange school colors and depicts an orange bronc breaking through a brick wall. Senior High is known for its diversity, and she wanted to capture how the students in the school are working to break down barriers for minority and disadvantaged students.
As it turned out, it was difficult to apply the paint on the rough surface of the wall and still achieve the detail she wanted.
“It was such a detailed design that it was hard, even with help,” Athena said.
She relied on her father – and his artistic talents – for help in the painting process. While it was a challenge, Athena said she’s happy with the final result.
From the time she was young, Athena’s father encouraged her to pursue her passion for art. Athena took art classes all through high school and her favorite pastimes are drawing and painting in oils. Athena also enjoys writing poetry that inspires her paintings.
This fall, Athena is planning on attending the School of the Art Institute in Chicago to pursue her artistic dreams. Her parents are Sergio and Tessa Renova.
Athena Renova, Billings Senior High
Athena Renova – Billings Senior High School
Athena Renova, 18, has wanted the chance to paint a mural for the MasterLube War of the Walls since she was a freshman at Senior High. She’s a senior now, ready for graduation, and her dream has come true. Her design was chosen this year for the Grand Ave MasterLube store.
Athena’s design uses Senior High’s black and orange school colors and depicts an orange bronc breaking through a brick wall. Senior High is known for its diversity, and she wanted to capture how the students in the school are working to break down barriers for minority and disadvantaged students.
As it turned out, it was difficult to apply the paint on the rough surface of the wall and still achieve the detail she wanted.
“It was such a detailed design that it was hard, even with help,” Athena said.
She relied on her father – and his artistic talents – for help in the painting process. While it was a challenge, Athena said she’s happy with the final result.
From the time she was young, Athena’s father encouraged her to pursue her passion for art. Athena took art classes all through high school and her favorite pastimes are drawing and painting in oils. Athena also enjoys writing poetry that inspires her paintings.
This fall, Athena is planning on attending the School of the Art Institute in Chicago to pursue her artistic dreams. Her parents are Sergio and Tessa Renova.
Cole Arroyo – Billings West High School
Cole Arroyo – Billings West High School
When Cole Arroyo, 18, decided he wanted to enter the schoolwide competition to choose a design for the King Avenue MasterLube store, he knew he wanted his design to be a tribute to three West High students who were killed in a car accident earlier this school year. His design, which includes a graffiti-styled bear, won West’s design contest, and to memorialize the teens who were killed, he had their closest friends come and paint their initials on a tree in the scene.
“It was pretty powerful,” Cole said. “It impacted everyone even if you didn’t know them.”
Emotions ran high during the painting process, but the biggest challenge was pulling off the detail he wanted on the large, rough wall. Weather also caused a delay, but thankfully, friends and family pulled together to help him.
This year, Cole’s artistic talents were also on display in poster designs he did for the Platinum Program and the valedictorian ceremony, which was held at the Babcock Theater. Cole has been interested in art since he was young and plans to pursue it as a career. He’s undecided as to where he plans to go to college this fall, but one thing is certain, he will be studying art. Cole’s parents are Zeferino and Jina Arroyo.
Cole Arroyo – Billings West High School
Cole Arroyo – Billings West High School
When Cole Arroyo, 18, decided he wanted to enter the schoolwide competition to choose a design for the King Avenue MasterLube store, he knew he wanted his design to be a tribute to three West High students who were killed in a car accident earlier this school year. His design, which includes a graffiti-styled bear, won West’s design contest, and to memorialize the teens who were killed, he had their closest friends come and paint their initials on a tree in the scene.
“It was pretty powerful,” Cole said. “It impacted everyone even if you didn’t know them.”
Emotions ran high during the painting process, but the biggest challenge was pulling off the detail he wanted on the large, rough wall. Weather also caused a delay, but thankfully, friends and family pulled together to help him.
This year, Cole’s artistic talents were also on display in poster designs he did for the Platinum Program and the valedictorian ceremony, which was held at the Babcock Theater. Cole has been interested in art since he was young and plans to pursue it as a career. He’s undecided as to where he plans to go to college this fall, but one thing is certain, he will be studying art. Cole’s parents are Zeferino and Jina Arroyo.
Grace Timm – Laurel High School
Grace Timm – Laurel High School
The Laurel High School MasterLube mural reads, “Life is like a train track, full of beauty and endless possibilities” in a hand-lettered script. The teen behind the artwork is Grace Timm, a Laurel High School senior who chose to represent the school’s mascot – the locomotives – with a classic black and white train, headed out of the station on new adventures. Yellow and purple paint-splattered smoke streams from its exhaust.
“I’ve always wanted to do the mural,” Grace said.
Grace has been interested in art since she was young, and was always encouraged by her mother, who also has a creative talent. It was no surprise that when it came to painting the mural, she called on her mom for help. It turned out to be a fun bonding experience for the two of them, Grace said. The biggest challenge they faced was when the wind started blowing just as they started to splatter the paint.
“It was so fun,” Grace said. “I ended up with paint all over me.”
Grace has taken numerous art classes over the years and is also in National Honors Society and a mentor for Link Crew, a freshman orientation program. She’s also on the Laurel High cross country and track teams and earned a cross country and track scholarship to Dickinson State University in North Dakota. She plans on studying pre-physical therapy. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Jamie Timm.
Grace Timm – Laurel High School
Grace Timm – Laurel High School
The Laurel High School MasterLube mural reads, “Life is like a train track, full of beauty and endless possibilities” in a hand-lettered script. The teen behind the artwork is Grace Timm, a Laurel High School senior who chose to represent the school’s mascot – the locomotives – with a classic black and white train, headed out of the station on new adventures. Yellow and purple paint-splattered smoke streams from its exhaust.
“I’ve always wanted to do the mural,” Grace said.
Grace has been interested in art since she was young, and was always encouraged by her mother, who also has a creative talent. It was no surprise that when it came to painting the mural, she called on her mom for help. It turned out to be a fun bonding experience for the two of them, Grace said. The biggest challenge they faced was when the wind started blowing just as they started to splatter the paint.
“It was so fun,” Grace said. “I ended up with paint all over me.”
Grace has taken numerous art classes over the years and is also in National Honors Society and a mentor for Link Crew, a freshman orientation program. She’s also on the Laurel High cross country and track teams and earned a cross country and track scholarship to Dickinson State University in North Dakota. She plans on studying pre-physical therapy. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Jamie Timm.
Megan Schneider – Billings Central Catholic High School
Meghan Schneider – Billings Central Catholic High School
Mural artist Meghan Schneider, 18, a senior at Central High, wanted to change things up on the wall of the downtown MasterLube store. While artists before her went for a realistic look, she opted for a nontraditional, abstract design with shades of green and a repeating geometric pattern. Her work included the school’s mascot, the ram, as well a cross as a tribute to Central High’s catholic roots.
“I wanted to bring together aspects of our school in a simple way,” she said.
While the design is fairly straightforward, the painting process wasn’t. Meghan, a music student who plays the flute and piccolo, had a commitment to play for an honor band tour out of town and had work commitments that kept her from her painting duties. She relied on one of her friends, Olivia Burmeister, also a Central High senior, to gather a crew and do the painting for her. Meghan was pleased with the way it turned out.
Meghan has always enjoyed art as a hobby but has focused her efforts primarily on developing her musical talents. She also plays tenor saxophone and standing bass.
This fall, Meghan plans to attend college at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, where she will study criminal justice and music education. She plans to continue drawing and painting in her free time. Meghan is the daughter of Brad and Melissa Schneider.
Meghan Schneider – Billings Central Catholic High School
Meghan Schneider – Billings Central Catholic High School
Mural artist Meghan Schneider, 18, a senior at Central High, wanted to change things up on the wall of the downtown MasterLube store. While artists before her went for a realistic look, she opted for a nontraditional, abstract design with shades of green and a repeating geometric pattern. Her work included the school’s mascot, the ram, as well a cross as a tribute to Central High’s catholic roots.
“I wanted to bring together aspects of our school in a simple way,” she said.
While the design is fairly straightforward, the painting process wasn’t. Meghan, a music student who plays the flute and piccolo, had a commitment to play for an honor band tour out of town and had work commitments that kept her from her painting duties. She relied on one of her friends, Olivia Burmeister, also a Central High senior, to gather a crew and do the painting for her. Meghan was pleased with the way it turned out.
Meghan has always enjoyed art as a hobby but has focused her efforts primarily on developing her musical talents. She also plays tenor saxophone and standing bass.
This fall, Meghan plans to attend college at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, where she will study criminal justice and music education. She plans to continue drawing and painting in her free time. Meghan is the daughter of Brad and Melissa Schneider.
Lacee Torno – Billings Skyview High School
Lacee Torno – Billings Skyview High School
Lacee Torno, 18, used four shades of blue and gray to paint the numerous geometric shapes that make up the mural design for Skyview High, which can be seen on the wall at the Heights MasterLube store. The falcon has its wings outstretched and is holding a mask in its talons. The mask was a nod to the pandemic that complicated the 2020 school year.
“I didn’t want the whole design to be about the pandemic, but just a little recognition of all we’ve been through this last year,” Lacee said.
Rainy and windy weather dampened her painting plans, but Lacee relied on her friends and family to help finish the mural on time. Despite the challenges, she was excited to see her final design full-sized.
“It’s a great opportunity to leave my mark at Skyview,” Lacee said.
Lacee is a senior and plans on graduating at the end of May. During her high school career she took as many art classes as she could fit into her busy schedule.
“I’ve loved art since I was a little kid,” Lacee said. “For me it’s just a way to let things happen. It’s my outlet.”
This fall, Lacee plans on attending Montana State University Billings to study nursing. Her parents are Kadee and Jason Torno.
Lacee Torno – Billings Skyview High School
Lacee Torno – Billings Skyview High School
Lacee Torno, 18, used four shades of blue and gray to paint the numerous geometric shapes that make up the mural design for Skyview High, which can be seen on the wall at the Heights MasterLube store. The falcon has its wings outstretched and is holding a mask in its talons. The mask was a nod to the pandemic that complicated the 2020 school year.
“I didn’t want the whole design to be about the pandemic, but just a little recognition of all we’ve been through this last year,” Lacee said.
Rainy and windy weather dampened her painting plans, but Lacee relied on her friends and family to help finish the mural on time. Despite the challenges, she was excited to see her final design full-sized.
“It’s a great opportunity to leave my mark at Skyview,” Lacee said.
Lacee is a senior and plans on graduating at the end of May. During her high school career she took as many art classes as she could fit into her busy schedule.
“I’ve loved art since I was a little kid,” Lacee said. “For me it’s just a way to let things happen. It’s my outlet.”
This fall, Lacee plans on attending Montana State University Billings to study nursing. Her parents are Kadee and Jason Torno.
