Elon University’s Residence Life has been running its beginning-of-the-year mural competition for more than 20 years, but for Elon’s 125th anniversary, they decided to make a major change. For the first time since the beginning of the contest, the mural competition will be open to upperclassman participants.
The mural competition is an annual event where students are given the opportunity to paint a mural in their residence hall. Judges rank the murals based on depiction of the community, creativity and quality of the completed piece.
The William R. Kenan Jr. Honors Pavilion won this year's mural competition, with the residents of Danieley H in second place and the La Casa de Español (Global Neighborhood) in third.
“Students in upperclass areas feel disconnected,” Arroyo said. “We want that a bit. We want them to have a sense of independence. [But the mural competition] gives them a chance to show their creativity and it connects them back to Elon.”
Teams in the Oaks and the Station at Mill Point will join Danieley, Colonnades and the Historic Neighborhood, as well as the newly established Global Neighborhood, as they design and paint portrayals of the Elon community from their perspective.
Ilana Spiegel, a freshman who is coordinating the mural for Danieley H, said she believes upperclassmen can bring their experiences to make interesting murals.
“I have no problem with letting upperclassmen into the competition,” Spiegel said. “Older students may have experiences or ideas that I, as a younger student, would not have. I believe collaboration is always a good thing.”
But not everyone agrees with Spiegel’s assertion. While she said she believes upperclassmen can add a competitive edge, Emma Warman, a freshman in Colonnades E, said including older students could take away from what unites freshman halls.
“I think that upperclassman participation in this contest detracts part of the experience from first-years, as I have always envisioned this as sort of a celebratory, school-warming project for those new to Elon,” Warman said. “However, upperclassmen will add a competitive dynamic, which I fully welcome.”
Arroyo said she does not think adding upperclassmen will limit the competition’s impact by any means. In the end, she said, the competition is about connecting students to their area and renewing their connection to Elon.
“The competition gives students opportunity to lay claim to their space,” Arroyo said. “It is their way to make their mark on Elon by stating what the community means to them.”
Residence Life has encouraged neighborhoods to think about two topics for the creation of the murals: the celebration of their individual neighborhood and Elon’s 125th anniversary. Arroyo said the judges will look for a mural that incorporates both influences in a creative way.
Some participants have taken that advice to heart.
Freshman Samantha Sampson, who lives in Global Neighborhood 4, incorporated a globe as well as oak trees and squirrels in her mural to connect her neighborhood’s defining characteristics to Elon.
Liz Chmura, a sophomore designing a mural for a seminar room in Oaks D, is taking a more traditional approach. She wrote Elon’s alma mater among oak trees to convey the physical and emotional spirit of the university. Chmura said she believes this competition is a way to highlight students’ talents and dedication to Elon.
“I think this contest is a great way for students to express their individualities and artistic talents,” Chmura said. “It’s a way that we as students can beautify our campus together.”
All murals will be completed later this week, when faculty and judges will choose the winners, which will be announced at the football game during Family Weekend.