A University of New Mexico student is getting to work on transforming one of the campus’ libraries by covering one of the walls with paint.
Parish Memorial Library will look different when students return to classes in the fall as a colorful new mural will be added to a wall of the library’s basement.
Graduate student Robbin Lou Bates was chosen to create the new addition after winning the Parish Memorial Library Mural Competition.
“I also really want to do a roadrunner because I really love roadrunners. I was also excited to learn that they are the state bird so I thought it would be a good fit,” said Bates.
Right now, the winning mural rendering is being kept under wraps until the reveal, but Bates says it will likely feature a roadrunner and a desert landscape.
Associate Professor Todd Quinn says they received submissions from seven students.
Students had to submit a statement about the piece they wanted to paint plus previous works.
Quinn says it was Bates use of color that caught the eyes of the selection committee.
“We thought Robbins stood out among all the other ones. We liked that it was colorful quirky and interesting,” said Quinn.
The mural will be painted under a skylight in the library’s basement this summer.
It will be unveiled at a ceremony and reception in the fall.
Quinn says throughout the summer, the progress of the mural will be posted on the University library’s social media sites.
