If you’ve been in the Anne Arundel basement lately, you’ve surely noticed a colorful new addition to the space—the columns now feature a stunning mural celebrating Maryland’s natural heritage. Completed this past summer by Honors Humanities student Injoo Lee for her capstone project, the work was created to liven up this common area and create an environment that promotes life and beauty. She was motivated by her hope to pave the way for more public art across our campus.
The mural features a colorful array of Maryland state symbols, including Baltimore orioles and checkerboard butterflies soaring in the sky, diamondback terrapins representing the state’s aquatic ecosystems, blue crabs symbolizing the Chesapeake Bay, and the state flower, the black-eyed Susan, alongside the white oak, Maryland’s state tree. Lee’s vision was to create a piece that would resonate with the broader University of Maryland community while showcasing the state’s rich biodiversity.
“I wanted to do an environmental theme, partly because it’s a big part of the Honors Humanities curriculum,” Lee said. “But I also wanted to show off Maryland’s nature and create something for the Honors College since Anne Arundel is a space for all Honors students to gather and socialize.”
The painting took over 80 hours to complete, in addition to extensive planning and collaboration. Lee had to navigate permissions from various university departments, including the Department of Resident Life.
“It was a highlight for me last year to work with Injoo on this mural,” said Honors Humanities director, Randy Ontiveros. The program teamed up with Genevieve Conway, assistant director for living-learning and academic support initiatives in Resident Life, to showcase the creativity of Honors Humanities students and inspire public art in other residence halls. “Injoo’s beautiful work reminds me each workday of our students’ energy and commitment to the greater good,” Ontiveros added.
To prepare for the project, Lee researched mural techniques and reached out to professional muralists for advice on logistics and techniques. She drew inspiration from various public murals and developed her own painting style to create a cohesive theme throughout the work. She steered away from being too minimalist or realistic in style and instead opted for a bright and bold aesthetic.
She was also pleased with how collaborative the project became, bonding with classmates who offered to give her a hand with painting.
Lee’s mural has not only beautified the space but has also cleared the way for more student art on campus. The project aligns with the growing recognition of public art’s importance in enhancing community spaces and promoting well-being.
“I hope it starts more student art projects because it adds so much meaning to our shared spaces,” she said, reflecting on the impact of her work and the transformative potential of public art on college campuses.
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Honors Humanities is a highly selective undergraduate program in the UMD Honors College for academically talented students from diverse majors who share a passion for the arts and humanities and who desire a well-rounded education. Learn more about the Honors Humanities program at honorshumanities.umd.edu.
Featured image credit: Tom Alexander. Other photos courtesy of Injoo Lee.
