Mural by GCSU students and Central State Hospital patients unveiled

A multi-paneled mural painted by about 50 students in Georgia College & State University’s Department of Art was unveiled Thursday, Oct. 17, at Central State Hospital. 

The mural’s theme is about wellness and exploring activities that promote health and wellbeing. 

Some sections of the 8- by 10-foot mural were filled in and completed by patients taking art lessons in the hospital’s forensics unit, according to local muralist Christina Mansfield, communications specialist at CSH.

“This mural project fused ideas from two organizations that had two amazing art departments,” Mansfield said. “The mural incorporates imagery of therapeutic classes that are offered to individuals at the hospital—such as art classes, greenhouse projects, relaxation classes, recreational sports and music.” 

The project started in spring 2023, when three of Valerie Aranda’s mural painting classes were asked to work on a collaborative mural with Central State patients. The mural adorns a wall inside the hospital’s Center for Wellness, Hope & Learning.

Georgia College students visited the site prior to working on a collaborative design. They developed a concept for the mural after brainstorming with CSH Activity Therapists, GCSU alumni Iesha Harris and Chloe Wilder and using ideas from patients.

“We brought everyone’s artistic voices and ideas together,” Aranda said. “Starting with pencil sketches, then using digital drawings with iPads and Procreate, a digital design app, the students shaped their ideas.”

Sketches were shared with Central State officials. Then a final design emerged. The colorful mural includes a thick-trunked tree with green leaves, blue skies and people practicing yoga, playing guitar, painting and enjoying the outdoors.

Georgia College students painted on plexiglass prepped and provided by the hospital. Working like a “tag team,” Aranda said, they used a grid method to draw an outline for the mural. This was done on 16 panels, each measuring 2- by 2-feet. 

Later, students mixed colors and painted the shapes—leaving a portion for Central State Hospital patients to finish.

“It is a pleasure working together as a team—two communities coming together once again for a wonderful partnership,” Mansfield said.

Photo credit: Christina Mansfield