New homecoming mural soars into campus

By Grace Payton

With dozens of donated paint cans and a dream, students and volunteers glided brushes along the building. The thought of hours of painting in the warm September sun with stained hands did not stop them from unleashing their creativity.

CSC students gathered alongside the Art Guild and Chadron Chamber of Commerce at the north entrance of the Student Center to add their personal touch to the eagle wings mural. The mural soaring into campus during homecoming, students received an opportunity to gather with friends and peers to show their eagle spirit by adding beauty to their home away from home. This mural is the first installment of Chadron Art Alley to appear on campus. “We’re hoping that it’ll bring a little bit of life and color to the Student Center,” Gabby Kreis, executive director of the chamber, shared with a smile. This new picture-worthy mural hopes to shine its light in students’ social media posts, become a beacon in advertising, and bring a new spotlight to campus.

“It allows you the opportunity to create something bigger to let people make their mark, to make them feel like they belong there,” Kreis stated as she cleaned off her paint-stained brushes. In 2018, the Chamber started bringing art to life in Chadron thanks to the involvement of the chamber and community. All paint and supplies are donated for the art installations, and the painters are volunteers who want to help Chadron creatively blossom. Included in these volunteers is Angelyse Perez, a senior studio art major whose creativity brought this mural to life. “I’ll make a design for you,” Angelyse had excitedly said this summer when asked if she could be the artist. After hours of redrawing and experimenting with different programs, Perez got to lay her pencil down. Finally, she had her design. Covered in paint, she works alongside her peers, potential students on a tour, and Pine Ridge Job Corp to breathe life into her design.

Kreis and Perez continued to pour their heart into the painting as students came and went. Some stop to create a stroke or two on the mural, and others admire their dedication. As the sun started to set, they got the chance to set down their paintbrushes and admire for themselves their newest creation. The realization of their impact was not fully set in yet as they called it a night.