A Look at the Stories Behind BC Murals
Murals in and around buildings at the college have been a way to add art to the campus and to give the community something creative at which to look and appreciate. While some were crafted years ago and others in recent years, all have unique histories behind their creation.
For example, the mural located inside of Easley Library is one of the older murals on campus. While some may say it seems a little outdated and in need of refreshing, not everyone is familiar with the history behind it. Ann Massey, the head librarian at the time of the mural’s creation, contacted Walter Shroyer, head of the Art Department, about having a mural designed for the library. Shroyer reached out to then art major and international student Aya Ichikawa to put the brush to the wall.
“Aya jumped at the chance,” said Shroyer about Ichikawa’s response, “and gave Ann three sketches for different ideas, and Ann picked that one (that is currently on display in the library).”
Ichikawa was taking a special topics class in painting murals, so she was eager to participate. Having the knowledge from her class allowed her to create something unique for library visitors to view.
But Ichikawa’s experience with painting murals didn’t stop there. After leaving Bluefield College, she began working for a Japanese company, painting murals in Washington, D.C., before continuing her education at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.
Ichikawa now works for a company in Shanghai, China, using her art talents honed at Bluefield College creating sets for music videos. Her success since attending BC certainly gives the mural inside Easley Library even more special meaning for the college.
“When I went to China I visited with her for a day in Shanghai,” said Shroyer. “She gave me a tour of several art museums there.”
As of now, there are no current plans to replace Ichikawa’s mural with a new one, despite suggestions from some students that the artwork is not as popular as it once was. Maybe after hearing the history behind the mural and how special it was at the time it was painted, students may admire it more.