The new mural on display in UMSU University Centre.
New campus art installation inspires community, momentum
New artwork is decorating the walls of UMSU University Centre and will soon arrive on the Bannatyne campus and William Norrie Centre, too.
Faculty, staff, and students were asked to contribute to a community mural by submitting their answer to the prompt, “My UM will be …”
Nearly 200 responses were received and consolidated to capture a variety of ideas, hopes, and languages that reflect UM’s diverse community.
“A place of opportunity, inclusivity, where everyone feels seen,” reads one message. Others read, “Sab se accha” meaning “the best” in Hindi, and “Maamawi” meaning “together” in Ojibwe.
The bold, colourful mural brings to life UM’s new strategic plan, ‘MomentUM: Leading Change Together’ and reminds viewers of the university community’s shared goals and aspirations for a brighter future. Its focal point is the bison, a symbol of UM’s strength, leadership, and determination.
In their role to hold UM accountable to the commitments within the strategic plan, the four Witnesses from the UM Indigenous community shared their guidance in the framing of the responses and also contributed their own response, “kweyask-tetotamak”, meaning, “to do the right thing” in Cree.
Students from the School of Art collaborated with UM’s Strategic Marketing Communications team to design and paint the piece over the summer.
“This new mural brings to life the vision of our vibrant community to be a university of positive change in our province and the world,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “I hope it will inspire people as they see it and remind them of the goals we established together.”
Visit the Strategic Plan website to learn more and join the momentum.
The mural can be found on the second floor of UMSU University Centre, at the west corner beside the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) and across from the Graduate Students’ Association Lounge. A copy of the mural will be installed at the Bannatyne campus and William Norrie Centre in the coming weeks.