By Cameron Reichenbach / The Jambar
This month, Youngstown State University students worked with the Western Reserve Port Authority of City Centre One to create murals displayed in the building’s elevators. The project began Oct. 14, and resumed Oct. 16 inside The Butler Institute of American Art.
Led by Dragana Crnjak, art professor at YSU, a site-specific mural course transforms common transitional spaces using strong, engaging designs that visitors can experience throughout City Centre One.
Crnjak stated the collaborative project brings together vision and student creativity to engage students through professional skill development.
“This project goes beyond creating visually compelling artwork,” Crnjak stated. “Our primary objective is professional development. Students are gaining essential competencies in planning, organizing and executing large-scale art projects through structured phases of collaborative ideation, design, material preparation and execution.”
More than just an opportunity to showcase talent, the project allows students to learn valuable life skills. Students work with community partners and stakeholders to gain first-hand experience on how to plan and execute a project in a public space from start to finish.
Those interested in learning more about the mural project can contact Crnjak at dcrnjak@ysu.edu.