A major art project is in the works for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and the thoughts and ideas of faculty, staff and students will factor into the planning process that kicks-off next week with an initial presentation by the artist in Lynn Hall. Tia Richardson, an award-winning community mural artist and owner of Cosmic Butterfly Design based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will share a video about her work and describe her creative process, which will include active participation by our college’s students, staff, and faculty, at a meeting scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25 in Lynn G167. She also will invite dialogue and discussion during the session to gather thoughts, ideas, and input regarding the project.
“I am excited to share that a new mural project is being planned for our college, and I invite our students, staff, and faculty to attend Monday’s special presentation and to actively engage with Tia as she develops the design for the mural,” Dean Reed said. The mural will span approximately 560 square feet in the public corridor that links the David and Bonnie Brunner Small Animal Hospital to Lynn Hall. “This is a wonderful and unique opportunity to be involved in the creation of a stunning art installation that will be visible to anyone who uses the public side of the connecting corridor or views the mural through the hallway windows. The mural will be a treasure for our college, Purdue University, and our stakeholders, including alumni and donors.”
Dean Reed said the theme for the mural will center on the human-animal bond and diversity, which are vital concepts that distinguish our college. The artwork will shine a light on the caring relationships between humans and animals in different regions of the world and across different cultures to inspire a vision of a brighter future for the planet as a healthier place for all. Tia is known for her bright, colorful images and believes in the power of shared experience to create a sense of belonging and mutual appreciation of what we each can contribute to the bigger whole to make it better.
The process of creating the mural design also will include subsequent visioning sessions later on. Additionally, when it comes time to create the mural next spring, participants will be offered a chance to help bring the mural to life in a “paint-by-numbers” style on scheduled painting days when the PVM community can drop by and pick up a brush to paint, with guidance from Tia. “Then Tia will spend a number of weeks adding the finishing touches for a stunningly beautiful and professional work of art,” Dean Reed explained.
“I am very pleased that Tia is taking on this project for our college,” Dean Reed said. He met Tia earlier this year during an American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges deans meeting. Most recently, her creative work was displayed on the cover of the July 2023 issue of JAVMA, which featured the mural she completed for the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. “Don’t miss this opportunity next Monday to meet Tia and engage in a dialogue about her plans to create a wonderful mural for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine,” Dean Reed said. “I hope to see you there!” The session will be recorded and shared for any who are unable to attend.