A Mercer University senior designed a new mural now on display outside the library at Roberts Academy.
Abby Milam, a graphic design major, painted the 20-foot-by-10-foot mural over three days in December, with help from her professor and some fellow Mercer students. The brightly colored artwork features children’s book characters, local landmarks and the words “Ready to Soar!”
“This mural is a vibrant reflection of the spirit of Roberts Academy,” Head of School Joy Wood said. “Abby’s design thoughtfully weaves together elements of our students’ favorite book characters, Mercer and Macon landmarks, and the theme ‘Soar,’ inspired by the origami butterfly art installation created by Anna Taite Murphy.” Murphy is the granddaughter of Roberts Academy donors Hal and Marjorie Roberts.
Children often remarked on the work-in-progress when they passed by in the hall.
“They love Clifford the Big Red Dog. They’ve been loving Harry Potter, which is my favorite book character,” Milam said. “They have noticed Elephant and Piggie and Clark the Shark and the dragon who ate all the tacos. Some of these characters are from books I had never read because they came out after I left elementary school, but it was surprising to me that a lot of the characters are from books that I read when I was a kid, and they’re still very popular.”
Milam designed and pitched the mural as part of her illustration class taught by Tennille Shuster, professor of graphic design and chair of the art department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Shuster made the assignment after being approached by College of Education Dean Dr. Thomas Koballa Jr. about creating a mural for Roberts Academy at Mercer University, a transitional elementary school that prepares students with dyslexia to achieve academic success.
Shuster prepared a design brief for students outlining core details and expectations of the project, which included touching on children’s literacy and aspects of Macon. As a class, the students went to Roberts Academy to view the site of the future mural and learn about the school and its mission.
Milam went a step further and polled Roberts Academy students about their favorite book characters.
“I really wanted to know what the kids would want,” she said. “I took all their responses, and it inspired me to make this piece.”
The mural has a playfulness to it, with hearts, stars and butterflies throughout.
“I wanted to kind of make it like a doodle-esque style as if a kid made it,” Milam said.
Each of the 21 students in Shuster’s class designed a mural. They also developed pitches that included written work statements explaining the concept and visual mockups.
“The students came up with some beautiful submissions,” said Shuster, who sent a cut of student proposals to Roberts Academy for final consideration.
Milam received a $100 gift card from the College of Education after being chosen as the winner.
