News Releases

School of Business unveils mural created by local teens

A five panel, brightly colored, large-scale mural depicting "business education" is now on display.

Monday, September 24, 2007

A five panel, brightly colored, large-scale mural depicting "business education" is now on display at the School of Business in Summerfield Hall. The five-panel paint-on-sheet metal mural was created by five young artists with Van Go Mobile Arts. Van Go Mobile Arts is a social service agency in Lawrence that focuses on at-risk youths.

The mural hangs outside the windows of the Student Study Center in Summerfield Hall. It was commissioned by the Undergraduate Business Council (UBC), made up of students in the Business School. Claire January, promotions chair for the UBC, said, "The project was a great opportunity to support Van Go and also brighten up the study area where Business students spend so much time."

The panels of the mural are illustrated with icons and motifs taken from the campus of KU as well as the world of business, such as the Bull and Bear of Wall Street. Van Go artists met with representatives from the School to discuss the project, then added their own interpretation to represent various themes, including international business, financial markets such as Wall Street, graduates walking down the Hill and the School of Business logo, all in bright colors.

Since 1997, Van Go Mobile Arts has helped hundreds of teenagers and young adults express themselves through art. The group has painted over 190 custom benches and eight large-scale murals, including the one in Summerfield Hall.