This spring, Carleton students living in residence will have a chance to leave their mark on campus tunnel walls for the first time since 2008.
It has been Carleton tradition for floors in residence to paint murals representing their campus experience. After a five-year break, Carleton is reviving this tradition with 13 new murals that will be located in the hallway between Dundas and Leeds residences.
“The beautiful thing is that these murals really add to the culture of our campus,” said Joel Tallerico, vice-president (administration) of the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA).
“It really brings character and allows students to leave their mark,” he added. “It represents their memories and all the good friends they’ve met.”
Tallerico said “a lack of administrative organization” is the reason no murals have been painted in the last five years.
“Because of the advance planning, we were able to make it happen this year,” he said. “We’re really happy that all this planning and work is paying off.”
Throughout the school year, RRRA has been advertising the new murals using a Facebook ad campaign and making sure that all floor representatives tell students on their floors about the project.
“I think the murals add a sense of safety to the tunnels,” said Chris De Carlo, representative for the fifth floor of the Frontenac residence. “All the white walls are kind of scary and don’t feel homey at all.”
“Besides, it’s a really fun thing to do. I remember everyone wanted to do it last year, but couldn’t,” De Carlo said.
Any floor in residence is eligible to paint a three-by-three-metre piece as long as students submit an approval form and a sketch of the proposed mural to RRRA and Carleton Equity Services.
There are, however, certain criteria that have to be met for the mural to be given the go-ahead. Equity Services adviser Smita Bharadia said every mural must follow the university’s Statement of Human Rights.
Murals cannot contain any racist, sexist, or homophobic material and cannot stereotype or target a particular group or individual. Mural proposals that contain references to violence, alcohol, or drugs and that use hateful or derogatory language will also not be approved.
Students do have an opportunity to re-submit a modified design if a mural is rejected, explained Bharadia.
Tallerico said each floor in residence has a $25 fund it can put towards buying materials for its mural and that RRRA will provide base paints.
This year’s deadline for submissions was Jan. 31. RRRA is accepting latecomers, but approval isn’t guaranteed.
Tallerico said the new murals will be painted during the weekends of March 8 and 9, and 15 and 16. Students can expect to see the completed pieces by the end of the month.
“We’re very lucky to be able to do this kind of school-building activity,” he said. “We know this is something students look forward to and we’re extremely happy to be bringing it back.”
