Campus installation encourages Aggies to find their inner artist

Secret Walls, known for its competitive live art events, is working with universities across the U.S. to help them tell their own unique stories through large-scale murals. Partnering with the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA), the project was focused on transforming a plain wall in the retail space and recreation area of the Polo Road Garage into an artistic interpretation of the Aggie Spirit.

Motivated by an ongoing larger initiative to support sustainable beautification efforts, the collective painting spans 160 square feet, reflecting the university’s role as a powerful force for good — dedicated to making a positive impact in Texas, across the nation and around the world. 

Foundational to the mural’s conception and completion was Houston artist David E. Maldonado, who was invited by the Secret Walls organization to speak with students about the project. Secret Walls’ mission is to amplify local artists through live art installation events, bringing their time and talent alongside students to enhance their artistic capabilities. Thirty-two students across 15 majors and six colleges at Texas A&M volunteered to help paint the mural on Oct. 3-4.

Before the live art installation event began, two workshops were held to help students learn more about the creative expression process and how to “warm up” as artists. Each workshop was held as an alternative to regularly scheduled Thursday classes for PVFA faculty members Jill Honeycutt and John Boran, who collectively had 28 students in attendance. The workshop was led by Atlanta-based creator George F. Baker III. 

Passersby who checked out the artwork were overheard saying, “We need more murals on campus!” Texas A&M plans to work with Secret Walls in the future to continue bringing art to unexpected spaces.