Mural project starts production
Students from CSB+SJU have begun painting the new mural to be displayed on campus. This mural will portray the Benedictine value of Dignity of Work, and draw connections to labor justice issues and advocacy
Since the beginning of this semester, the mural The Labor Justice, or Dignity of Work in Benedictine terms, has been in the works, with 15 students contributing by painting. CSB seniors Madeline Lenius and Rachel Eiden, two prominent members, have been working on this project since their sophomore year and it was finalized last spring.
The mural will include a collage of images representing mutual aid, an abundance of food and different types of justice, showing a holistic picture of labor justice. Labor justice is still an ongoing fight in the United States today, and the mural promotes the dignity of doing important work.
The mural project started in 2017 as a collaboration within the Latin and Latino American Studies department, headed by professors Bruce Campbell and Rachel Melis. The themes are chosen based on a Benedictine value, seeking to “translate” between Benedictine values and the common good.
“This year we chose to center the mural around the Benedictine value of dignity of work. After deciding this, we were talking about the issue of labor justice and how to portray that in a visual language,” Lenius said.
After choosing the theme, educational events based on the theme are held, and students meet and talk about the language and imagery that relate to the value. After this, a smaller group gets together and creates a design based on the initial brainstorming.
“We have been working with faculty and students over the past few years in creating the design, and we finalized it last spring. We were finally able to start painting this semester,” Lenius said.
These murals have been a part of campus culture for many years and were previously placed on the side of Link buses. However, due to recent marketing changes, murals can no longer be displayed on Link buses.
The mural team has not decided where this mural will be displayed.
“I think the mural projects are an important part of what makes our campus unique. They express our values in a unique way that is accessible for both students and community members to engage with,” Lenius said.
The team is excited to continue painting and to see the design that has been in the works for so long come to life. Students can get involved by following the link on the murals Instagram page, @ csbsju_muralproject, to keep up with updates and get involved. Students can also email mlenius001@csbsju.edu or reiden001@csbsju.edu for more information and ways to get involved. Students can help by attending open studio sessions, which are held once a week.
