In a quiet space made for ideas, the FGCU Library is giving one of its walls the chance to make a statement in its first-ever mural competition. The competition is set to establish a new tradition of changing the mural each year by inviting students to apply and take part. The public display will bring students together by giving a visual representation of knowledge in motion. 

There are a couple of guidelines that participants had to keep in consideration. First submissions must adhere to the competition’s theme, Knowledge in Motion. Submissions will be evaluated on their relevance, feasibility, and artistic excellence. The submitted idea must be relevant to the theme and achievable within the space and materials provided. Lastly, you must provide two professional references who can attest to the artist’s work. 

“I am hoping that they feel more connected to the space and think of libraries a little differently than they did before. Maybe they think of their fellow students and the artists themselves a little differently than they did before. So it’s getting a bigger perspective of the world that you’re in,” Susan Bernier said.

The idea was conceived by Bernier, who is the director of collection management at the university library. She was inspired by an article she had read on FGCU 360 titled Drawn to the University Archives: Finding inspiration in Southwest Florida’s history. 

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The article explains how cartoonist Doug MacGregor donated a collection of his work to the library’s archive. MacGregor had made frequent donations to the school and wanted to be further involved by creating an interactive activity with the students. Hannah Harley, an art professor, had the idea of taking a trip to the archives with MacGregor and students. 

“Then he came in. He was like this is a great opportunity. He actually interacted with one of the students, who then created her own sort of graphic novel book. I believe it was her as a cartoon,” Bernier said. 

This contest will share a similar sentiment by allowing university artists to showcase their creativity. FGCU is offering multiple incentives to apply. Not only will students have their art displayed for the entire university to see, but also the time attributed to the project will be counted as service hours. 

“We will also have a little party and the winners will have the ability to have constant access to their artwork in the archives since it’s going to be online. It’ll be kind of an exhibit of the murals over time. This could be really nice to have if you’re applying for other projects like this,” Bernier said. 

The mural’s prime spot beside the circulation desk ensures plenty of visibility for the artists. The competition will be held annually, with murals slated and replaced each year. 

“Rather than just a flat mural that then stays there forever, it would be annual. So, new students every year will apply in December, then the winner is announced, and they have the whole spring to interactively paint it,” Bernier said.

Amy Lawton is the circulation manager at the library and part of the judging panel heavily encourages group submissions. These submissions will help garner more attention from the student body and promote student involvement. 

“You walk into the library and you’re seeing students painting, you just get a different vibe or feel of everything and it makes you feel a little bit more included,” Lawton said. 

The project is meant to help inspire student involvement and the utilization of third spaces. Submissions were due by Dec. 5 at 5 p.m., and the winner will be announced on Dec. 10.