Mural Painted in Adams
Student Design Chosen in Contest, Painted by Residents
Broadside Contributor Kelsey Huber

On Friday, Nov. 30 in Presidents Park, Adams building hosted a mural-painting party in the residential common area.  One of the RA’s, Josh Oxley (nick-named RAJ by the students on his hall) said, “It seemed like a different way for the residents of Adams to contribute to their building and build their community."

The new mural design was chosen through a contest and Crisy Meschieri drew the winning piece.

“My friends were bugging me to design something, and I wanted to do it because it was a fun creative exercise,” Meschieri said.

Her design featured the artistically drawn name of the dorm, “Adams.”  The letters were hollowed out and filled with representations of every major.  “I was trying to put all the different majors that are in Adams into the mural,” Meschieri said.

Some of the images included a globe, a computer, a treble cleff and an atom, all representing their respective majors that are represented in the Adams dorms. 

For accuracy, the original drawing was projected onto the wall and lightly outlined in pencil by one or two students at a time.

Nicole MacCracken, a physics major commented, “I liked drawing it, even though it was hard and the projector kept moving so my drawing kept sliding around.  I’m not very good at drawing, but it’s something I like to do, and this was a fun thing to draw.”

However, the event included more than just the actual painting of the mural.  Pizza, soda, music, and socializing were also key features.  Since only a few people could work on the mural at a time, the majority of students had a chance to talk and share ten large pizzas.

Cassie Coleman expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “I liked the company.  It was nice hanging out with all of Adams.  We got a chance to really see everyone together.”

The mural painting was popular enough that several people stayed long after it was supposed to end, adding final touches to the painting or just socializing with friends.

Some people took extra time to add details to a part of the painting that held personal significance to them.  Others watched the painting, while talking and laughing with the painters.

Students felt that the  mural painting event’s goal of community-building was a success.  “It’s like we’re one big ‘Adams Family’!” said Meschieri.

Living in the Adams dorm in Presidents Park creates an interesting college experience.  As the home of the Honors Living-Learning Community, Adams’ residents spend time together both in class and out.

“I like the intellectual atmosphere and community feel that having the same classes gives us.  It’s nice to just be able to run down the hall and ask a friend about an assignment” said Meg Patrick.