The community is invited to help Franklin College students and visiting artist Tiffany Black paint a mural from 3-7 p.m. Friday inside Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts, located at the corner of Branigin Boulevard and Grizzly Drive.
The mural project is part of an immersive term course being taught by Black called “Public and Community Art: Mural Creation.” The class has taken 23 students, step-by-step, through the stages of how to create a community mural.
Known as “Spirit of Community,” the mural will consist of four panels, each depicting a different aspect of Franklin College history: Tradition, Athletics, Innovation and Diversity. The design also weaves in the present and hints at the students’ imagined futures.
Black is an award-winning artist based in Indianapolis known for her large-scale public works. In 2021, she began working with evacuees from Afghanistan at Camp Atterbury, shortly after they were forced to flee their home country. She provided arts programming as Afghans awaited resettlement, and together, they created a painted mural titled “August 15,” in reference to the day the Taliban took control of Kabul.
On Feb. 26, Black will give a lecture in the B.F. Hamilton Library Auditorium followed by a ribbon cutting and a reception.
This spring semester, additional art students will build upon the mural project. Black will guide them as they begin to incorporate augmented reality components into the mural.
No registration is needed to take part in the community paint-by-number event on Friday. All materials will be provided.
