New mural created by Victoria College Art Association students
A collaborative mural created by Victoria College Art Association students will soon be on display at VC’s Museum of the Coastal Bend, marking the completion of a three-semester project that offered students an immersive, real-world artistic experience.
More than a dozen members contributed to the large-scale artwork, which was conceptualized, designed and hand-painted entirely by students.
“It’s really satisfying to see the final project,” said Dana Frias, Art Association member. “We spent a lot of time working to bring our vision to life, and we’re very proud of how it turned out.”
Early in the process, the team met with Museum of the Coastal Bend representatives to establish a vision for the piece, pitch their concept and refine the final design—experiences that mirrored the client-artist dynamic common in professional art careers.
Students cut the wood panels, sketched the layout and painted each element of the mural. Every section of the artwork draws inspiration from artifacts or themes found in the museum’s exhibits, creating a piece that reflects the region’s cultural history while showcasing student creativity.
Sonya McAlister, VC Assistant Professor of Art and Art Association Advisor, said watching the students collaborate was inspiring.
“It was amazing to watch them work together on this project," said McAlister. "We’re so grateful to the museum for partnering with us and giving the Art Association this opportunity.”
The mural will be officially installed in January. The museum will be closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 for Winter Break. Regular viewing hours resume on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
