Acrylic paint and a passion for art is all it took to completely transform the gray stairwells at Geisert’s dining hall entrances into murals beckoning students toward the dining hall each day.
One mural shows a gargoyle wearing a red shirt with the Bradley shield. Both have the words “Geisert Dining Hall” in bold lettering. The other mural features colorful cutlery, food and patterns.
“I was approached to do this mural by dining services early last year,” junior graphic design major Jenny Ford said. “They wanted to create murals that would liven and brighten up the entrances to the cafeteria, making them more approachable and welcoming for both employees and students.”
Soon after Ford’s invitation, the solo project became a collaborative effort with friend and former classmate Allison Walsh.
“Jenny and I met last year because we sat next to each other in a painting class and quickly became friends,” Walsh, a junior studio art-painting major, said. “Jenny was the one who originally started talking about the mural with dining services, and I jumped in and joined the project when she mentioned it.”
Ford said she was grateful for the collaboration with Walsh, believing their chemistry as a team made it easier to brainstorm concepts.
“We have very different styles and strengths, which helped in every stage of this project,” Ford said.
As lovers of graffiti art, the duo aimed to create a mural that would be bold, simplistic and stand out. They said they hope the graffiti-like mural would inspire students on campus.
“As we were working on painting the mural last year, many students would walk by and say things like ‘This makes me so happy’ or ‘I’m so glad I don’t have to walk down the creepy dark staircase anymore,’’’ Ford said. “I just hope that people will continue to think things like that and see that art can liven up any space.”
Walsh said she also hopes to inspire students and passersby on campus to recognize the value of art after viewing the mural.
“If our art can brighten someone’s morning, remind students of school spirit or just give students something to look at as they go through their day, that is satisfying for me,” Walsh said.
The students plan to continue their art pursuits after graduation. Walsh said she hopes to become an art professor, owing this to her art professors who changed her perspective on art. Ford said she wants to take a slightly different path working as a graphic designer at a firm or agency.
As for whether more campus murals are in the works, the two students are optimistic.
“This project was so much fun to be a part of, especially working with [Walsh], and I am excited to see what else is to come,” Ford said.
