University Library Unveils New Mural
On Monday, March 18, the Leo F. Cain University Library introduced a striking new addition to the CSUDH campus: a huge mural created by Presidential Artist in Residence Cristina Martinez. The mural, titled “Women in Bloom,” will provide a lasting legacy of Martinez’ collaboration with the campus.
“I like to take these opportunities to have as many people as possible see themselves in my work, especially when it’s going to be on the side of a building like this,” said Martinez. “In thinking about the students, I wanted to incorporate many different skin tones.
“Plus, with this being Women’s History Month, I wanted to create something that would let the women of CSUDH feel empowered, seen, and heard.”
At the unveiling, CSUDH President Thomas Parham expressed his excitement at the bold new mural. “I’m loving what I’m seeing,” said Parham. “The fact that this respected artist chose to display her work here at Dominguez Hills says a lot about our connectedness to the community, which is what we try to do. We try to be not just in the community but of the community.
“I love that the piece shows faces of women of all colors and shapes and sizes, who together are creating a collective image,” Parham continued. “CSUDH is a campus with 68 percent women students, so to be able to see that reflected here, showing women in bloom, aligns perfectly with our campus mission of helping students reach the fullest expression of all they’re meant to become.”
CSUDH Executive Director of Strategic Engagement and Resource Acquisition Nnamdi Okafor was instrumental in establishing the partnership between Martinez and the university. Upon seeing the finished mural, he joined in the excitement.
“It strikes up conversation,” he said. “It’s a really dramatic piece, and I think the variety of colors and shapes will allow Toro students to see themselves in the piece and I hope they feel represented in a new way. It’s something to take pride in.”
Martinez created the original piece digitally, and the unveiling was her first time seeing it at full-scale. “It’s amazing,” she said. “This whole experience was a learning process for me. When you create something at this scale, there’s always that thought that something could go wrong, but this looks really impressive.”
In speaking of her time as CSUDH Presidential Artist in Residence, the Seattle-based artist added, “It’s been a great experience. I feel that my work and I have been so valued. I’ve been really inspired. I came in wanting to inspire students, but am coming away from it super inspired myself! It’s been awesome.”
Cristina Martinez’ “& Still We Bloom” exhibition will continue through May 17, 2024, at the CSUDH University Library Multicultural Art Gallery, 1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson.
Latest Campus News
- Kennedy Center Honors Toro Student PlaywrightWhenever CSUDH student and aspiring playwright Wayne Sam needs inspiration or motivation, he glances over at an old typewriter that was given to him by his late grandfather. “He was a writer as well,” says Sam. “He really wanted me to write and pushed me forward. He promised me his old typewriter when he passed. […]
- Toro Softball Reaches West Super RegionalToros Top Northwest Nazarene 3-1 To Advance To NCAA West Super Regional
- CSUDH Esports Wins 2024 Cal State CupOvercoming fierce competition, the CSUDH Esports Overwatch 2 Team claimed first place in the second annual Cal State Cup, a one-day bracket exclusive to CSU campuses. For the second year in a row, the tournament was also broadcasted from the Toro Esports Academy, which features a state-of-the-art broadcast booth. Joined by the CSUDH administration, officials […]
- Metro CEO, Apple Executive Among Keynote Speakers at CSUDH CommencementThe CEOs of Metro and First 5 LA, along with leaders from Apple, Toyota, the entertainment industry, and philanthropic activism will keynote the six Commencement ceremonies for the CSUDH community on May 17 and 18. The 2024 CSUDH Commencement keynote speakers: More than 4,000 graduates will receive their degrees at CSUDH’s Commencement ceremonies, which will […]
- 2024 Faculty Awards Honor Six Outstanding Educators2024 Faculty Awards Recognize Six Outstanding Educators The 2024 Faculty Awards Reception was held on April 30, with six members of the CSUDH faculty receiving honors for their contributions to the university. The awards are presented each year to selected faculty members for outstanding achievement in a variety of areas—from research and scholarship to lecturing […]
- Famed Writer Delivers a Lesson in Courage, Calls for New Voices to RiseJ. Michael Straczynski doesn’t much care for rules. As a student at San Diego State University, he risked expulsion by bluffing his way into two writing courses taught by celebrated writer and educator Norman Corwin. Straczynski didn’t get expelled, and Corwin became a lifelong friend and cherished mentor. But he understood the risks, and therein […]