Like VCU’s School of World Studies, art students’ latest mural project represents springboard to the world

By Malorie Burkett

Several architectural landmarks and religious and historical icons from all over the world have found their home at Virginia Commonwealth University.

They are located in the lobby of VCU’s School of World Studies, 312 N. Shafer St., in the form of a mural called “springboard to the world.” The mural is the result of a semester’s work by a group of nine VCU art students in the Communication Arts mural painting class.

The mural was conceptualized, designed and painted by the students under the direction of Janet Gilmore-Bryan, and the theme “springboard to the world,” was the brainchild of R. McKenna Brown, Ph.D., director of VCU’s School of World Studies.

“The mural represents an enormous quest for the artists,” said Brown. “They were entrusted with a vision and searched the world over for images and symbols that they have woven together to bring that world right here to Lafayette Hall at VCU.

“For everyone who enters the School of World Studies, it proclaims our mission to prepare global citizens,” he said.

Images include Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, India’s Taj Mahal, France’s Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower and familiar faces such as Spain’s Don Quixote, India’s Mohandas Gandhi and the Buddha.

This is the second mural on the Monroe Park Campus by Gilmore-Bryan's mural painting class. The most recent mural was completed in the entrance to the James Branch Cabell Library during the spring 2004 semester. It showcased VCU's cultural diversity as well as familiar university and Richmond landmarks.

“Watching the students complete the mural in the library really made me want to take part in painting the World School Mural,” said Teddy Wallace, a senior communication arts major. “Seeing how everyone came together to accomplish one main goal—completing a quality mural, has been the biggest reward.”

Wallace also said that working on the World School mural has opened him up to more ideas and creativity for his own artwork.

Gilmore-Bryan’s mural painting classes have been completing murals at various locations, including the VCU Medical Center, since spring 2000. Mural locations include the pediatric ER, Hospital Hospitality House and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In addition, Gilmore-Bryan's previous classes completed six murals for the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the Instructional Visiting Nurses Association, the Virginia Home for Boys and the Fan Free Clinic.

The next mural painting class will begin work on its project in the spring for the Faison School of Autism, an off-campus location on Brook Road.

“I have seen faculty members in the World School show their approval for the students’ work, and it really tells me that the students have done a great job,” said Gilmore-Bryan. “This mural is a beautiful reflection on our School of World Studies, as well as a beautiful reflection on VCU.”