Three new murals brighten Hanson Plaza roadway 

The roadway between the Hanson Plaza East and West garages has a new look! Last week, the Student Body Government (SBG) held a mural festival. The theme was “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” With extra hands from the community, three of our students completed the painted murals that dramatically brighten the area.   

The new murals are by first-year student Sydney Block, junior Kaitlyn Ruble, and sophomore August Bird. Each one penciled in their design, then created a “paint by the numbers” set-up and invited community members to fill in the colors. Dozens of students, staff, and faculty participated in the week-long event, held Sunday, April 7 to Saturday, April 13 in the late afternoons until well after nightfall.  

Jett Kelly, Vice President of the Student Body Government, and Melanie Pena, SBG Director of Events, led this effort. Many other individuals and campus units were involved in this effort, in ways large and small. To name just two, Campus Design and Facilities power-washed the wall to prepare it for painting, loaned equipment, and advised on safety and safe disposal of used paint and other items. The Department of Public Safety closed off the street for a full week.   

Other people and units involved in this week-long endeavor included Michelle McAuliffe, ’02, professor in the Art and Media Design program in the School of Arts and Humanities; Michelle Gerson-Wagner, director of the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership in the Division of Student Affairs; Tabitha Jacques, ’06, director of Placemaking; and Sophia Stone, E-’14, interior designer with the Office of Campus Design and Planning.   

The Office for Career Success awarded stipends to the three student artists.   

Thanks to the Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, well-known Deaf artist Daniel Katz-Hernandez, ’14, was on-site nearly every day to mentor the three artists and the many students in attendance.   

The three new murals complement Etasha Stone’s “You Matter Here” mural, painted last year. Be sure to see them!