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UW-RF Art Students Dedicate Environmental Diversity Mural

[photos]
By Molly Exner
UW-RF News Bureau

DEC. 10, 2004--A dedication ceremony to unveil a new mural depicting environmental diversity is set for Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Agricultural Science Building at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The colorful mural, "Views of the Land," was designed and painted by 17 art students from UW-RF is currently on display in the third floor environmental science and management hallway of the Ag Science building.

The dedication is open to the public, and the mural painters will be on hand for any questions or comments.

Commissioned by the Plant and Earth Science department, the mural was created by art students from Professor Lynn Jermal's Collaborative Murals class who worked on the mural over the past six weeks with input from the department.

The mural consists of five panels: a rural scene, an urban scene, the Kinnickinnic River, the Mississippi River and the Mississippi Delta/Gulf of Mexico.

Michael Kaltenberg, professor of Plant and Earth Science, says that he is very impressed. "What is particularly pleasing to me is the attention the artists have given to detail and the wonderful array of colors used. The mural should really catch the eye of anyone in the hallway and indirectly draw attention to what our Conservation, Land Use and Environmental Science programs address. From my perspective, Jermal and her class have exceeded my expectations and have made a very positive contribution to the Ag Science building and the campus."

Jermal said the process of creating the mural was rewarding, "Learning how to work on a creative project collaboratively is a very challenging and stimulating process," she said. "It demands a different sort of commitment to the group and the larger community, which is the recipient of the public work by the artists. I think the students have learned some skills but more importantly perhaps, something about themselves by creating this mural. Several students have shown terrific leadership within the group."

Nate McConnell, an art student working on the mural, said his experience with the project was challenging. "It’s difficult for people who haven’t done much painting before … like me."

Andy LaMere, another artist working on the mural, says that he has enjoyed working on a project with longevity. "It’s nice to know this will be here for all to see and that I can say we did that," he said.

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STUDENTS INVOLVED:
Minnesota
Hugo, Anderson, Kerry, Junior
Rochester, Clark, Rachel, Sophomore
Maplewood, Odlaug, Peter, Senior
Oakdale, Parranto, Jenny, Junior
Scandia, Peterson, Emily, Junior
Bloomington, Swenson-Wick, Aubree, Freshman
Red Wing, Mc Namee, Paul, Junior
Eagan, LaMere, Andrew, Senior
Wisconsin
Rice Lake, Rogers, Christopher, Junior»
Hayward, Eisch, Jacob, Junior
Ekhorn, Hahn, Nicole, Junior
River Falls, Hawke, Ashley Ryan, Senior
Clear Lake, McConnell, Nathan, Freshman
Osceola, Neumann, Jessica, Senior
High Bridge, Taube, Hannah, Sophomore
Star Prarie, Tomforde, Andrea, Senior

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