By Nadia Urbina, Sept. 21, 2021
Students gathered at University Park to unleash their inner artist at ASI BEAT’s “Paint by Numbers Mural” event hosted Sept. 7 through the 16.
The four-day event featured two canvases meant to unite and create a full, 4-by-12 feet mural. Students who attended the event were provided with a packet of paint, a brush and a randomly assigned number to paint on the student-designed mural.
“We wanted to create an interactive mural where community could be more prominent and we wanted to bring people together with an art form,” said Ella Baggett, the art program student assistant for ASI.
The mural encompasses CPP’s iconic landmarks and important features which only the university offers. On one side of the mural, a depiction of Billy Bronco is seen in a proud stance admiring a graduating student. Cows surrounded by greenery are featured, as well as the University Plaza. The second part of the mural captures campus landmarks such as the Japanese Garden, the CLA building, the BioTreck and the much missed Poly Trolley.
The artist who designed the mural is Sarah Lazaro, visual communication design major, better known around campus as “Lazer.” Their idea behind the mural was to provide a visual tour of CPP to first-year students so they could get a sense of what makes campus so unique.
“It brings me a lot of joy. It makes my heart feel really full because my art is something that is very important to me, but also, it means a lot that I get to see students interact with it and be a part of
it,” said Lazaro. “Because I have been in Cal Poly for a while now, and this place is like a second home, having students come in and be a part of something that is important to me in more than one way is very warming.”
The high temperatures of the day did not bother students since the cool shade from the pop-up tents and the catchy pop music playing encouraged students to channel their creative abilities as they tried to reach every nook of their assigned number with their paint brush. The fun atmosphere enticed students walking by the tent to stop by and participate.
The event was originally scheduled for November, but due to low temperatures during that time, it was changed to take place earlier in the semester.
“We figured it would be nice to have it in the beginning of the semester and have it CPP themed, so it gives a little bit of some school spirit,” said Annikka Rodriguez, art program supervisor for ASI BEAT.
“If you’ve never been to campus before because it has been a whole year since people have been in quarantine, it would be nice if people had something related to school spirit.”
Incoming political science major Juliana Arias felt the event was a great way to get involved on campus and learn about its quirks. “Something like this is sweet and nice, it does encourage me to go out more,” said Arias.
Once the mural is finished, there are plans to showcase it in the Bronco Student Center. Students can visit the ASI website for future virtual and in-person events.
Feature image courtesy of Nadia Urbina.