Groundbreaking School of Art Course Brings Mayor, Students, Community Together to Unveil Mural

Students in the School of Art's mural painting course, taught by assistant professor of art Su A Chae and housed within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, have spent the semester participating in a pioneering curriculum that links public art to civic engagement. This work has included designing and installing murals across the city, including the city's Community Art Wall and utility boxes as part of the city Utility Box Program.  

That work now culminates in the debut of their newest mural, created in collaboration with the city of Fayetteville. On Monday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m., Chae and 16 undergraduate students will unveil "People Watching" along the Tsa-La-Gi Trail, an original design approved by the City of Fayetteville Arts Council and brought to life using techniques learned in the course. 

Their mural, "People Watching," transforms the trail tunnel into a playful shift of perspective, where pedestrians passing through a magnifying glass appear miniature while insects and plants rise to an unexpected scale. The work features the Diana fritillary, a rainbow stag beetle and the state flower, the apple blossom, celebrating Arkansas' ecological richness. Reflecting the spirit of inquiry that guides young scholars and artists, the mural invites viewers to slow down, look closely and reconnect with the natural world. 

The mural site is located on the wing wall of the railroad underpass tunnel on the Tsa-La-Gi Trail, about two-tenths of a mile walk on the trail from Stadium Drive or from West Wynstone Drive at the Hill Place Apartments. Mayor Molly Rawn will join students, faculty and community partners to offer remarks about the mural and work between the City and the School of Art. The multiuse trail parallels one of the historic routes of the Trail of Tears, and the trail's name, "Tsa-La-Gi," is a more accurate transliteration of the word "Cherokee," referring to the Cherokee people as well as the Cherokee language.

As one part of the broader course aim, the murals created in the course emerged from students identifying community needs, examining historical contexts, conducting local research and developing concept proposals to the City with input from residents and partners. Chae's course was awarded an official service learning designation through the U of A Service Learning Initiative and has partnered with local artist Olivia Trimble, whose public art practice and community leadership have informed project planning and execution. 

Chae's class previously completed their mural "Tiger Twist," a vibrant mural at the City-supported Community Art Wall. Their bold design features a tiger layered with colors and motifs drawn from Fayetteville's cultural and natural landscape. 

"Our students are learning what it means to be artists who are civically engaged," said Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art. "Su A Chae's course provides real-time experience collaborating with city leaders, community partners and each other to create work that shapes public spaces. I'm proud of the care and thoughtfulness our students and faculty have brought to this process."   

Chae emphasized how the course challenges students to think beyond the studio, "The students have pushed themselves technically and conceptually, learning to scale their ideas, navigate collaboration and consider the lived environments their work enters. I'm grateful to our community partners at the City of Fayetteville for collaborating with us and giving students opportunities that cultivate both artistic growth and community awareness." 

The City of Fayetteville's Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Department played a role in supporting the work. The course's projects were made possible through multiple funding sources, including support from the School of Art's Strategic Initiatives, a Teaching Improvement Grant from the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center and a Service Learning Materials Grant from the U of A. Funding from the Teaching and Faculty Support Center also supports the upcoming mural on the Tsa-La-Gi Trail, extending the students' practice of designing for city and community spaces. 

Parking is limited around the mural site. Attendees are encouraged to use public parking in surrounding areas and will have to walk to access the mural on the trail. The Harmon Parking Garage near the Studio and Design Center also offers paid parking options.

Accessible parking is available. Accommodations will be handled by the School of Art. Individuals should reach out to soart@uark.edu the school's main line at 479-575-5202 to make a request.

To access the mural, attendees can navigate the Tsa-La-Gi Trail with coordinates 36°03'20.7"N 94°10'24.8"W, near 1030 W. Rochier St., Fayetteville. A direct link to the mural site can be found on Google Maps.