In 2020, UNC-Chapel Hill alumna Jessica Szymczak (’20) approached Arts Everywhere with the idea of creating a mural in a stairwell of Fetzer Hall to encourage people to be more active. Working together with the College of Arts & Sciences’ Exercise and Sport Science department, Arts Everywhere sent out a call for design proposals. After reviewing the submissions, the committee was pleased to select artist Livian Kennedy, a UNC graduate with degrees in studio art and dramatic art. Livian completed the larger-than-life mural just before the start of the Fall 2020 school year.
Kennedy said about the mural, "I wanted to create an immersive environment that surprises you with color and guides students out of the stressed and tired haze they can so easily fall into. Having something colorful, interesting, and perhaps a bit inspiring to walk by on the way to reaching your personal goals can be a real boost. This mural isn’t just about athleticism – it’s about the strength, audacity, and perseverance to keep going, qualities which students have to exhibit every day."
Created by Livian Kennedy (2020).
Learn more about the artist 