College Administrative Office Entrance Gets a Refresh
The entrance to the College of the Arts Administrative Offices has been given a colorful and bold refresh, thanks to the vision of Dean Royce W. Smith and a partnership with Beach Building Services (BBS). A vibrant mural now frames the windows and offices of the east corner of the Academic Services building—one of the very first buildings on Ӱ’s campus. The mural, entitled “Dreams of the Beach,” was a robust collaboration between Ӱ’s facilities, architectural and project management teams, the COTA Dean’s Office and the artist—all of whom are invested in making sure campus buildings put their best foot forward. Now, the Academic Services Building is doing just that.
“Ӱ’s College of the Arts has always been Southern California’s epicenter for bold thinking and creative risk-taking,” according to Dean Smith. “So I hoped that a new mural might better illustrate the magic of what our college does and why our presence is so important at The Beach. Ledania’s ideas about icons and images that are important to the region—combined with her trademark freestyle approach to composition and color—have activated South Campus and proudly celebrate our status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Seal of Excelencia university.”
Ledania is a Colombian multimedia artist based in Bogotá. She was also invited to Long Beach this summer to complete a mural as part of Long Beach Walls, and her work with fellow Colombian artist SakoAsko can be found on the back wall of the Denny’s parking lot (near the corner of 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard). Ledania works in photography, graphic design, and in the design and creation of home goods, but she is most recognized for her uplifting graffiti murals primarily featuring animals, insects, human figures and nature subjects, as well as mythological, historical, or autobiographical symbols.
The Academic Services Building mural—extending across the east-facing wall and part of the south-facing wall—depicts flowers, leaves, birds, starfish and shells, with human eyes and faces peeking through layers of color and pattern. The mural is realized in bold, striking colors evocative of the culture of Ledania's native Colombia.
Response to the mural has been extremely positive, with the bold new design serving as an easy-to-describe wayfinding landmark, as well as a whimsical and joyful welcome to those entering Ӱ from the South Campus drop-off areas and parking lots. The mural is quickly becoming a fan-favorite spot for student and visiting family selfies.
