By Daniel Wilson

April 11, 2024

Art created by a new group of muralists now brightens the southern walls of the Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching and Research Building.

The multiyear “Place of Belonging” murals project that supports Sacramento State’s Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Plan (AICP) highlights “Believing,” “Becoming” and “Being,” the University’s drive to be a diverse, equitable and just campus that welcomes everyone.

The “Becoming” phase of the project is a visual representation of the progress the University is making toward its goals, said Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president for Inclusive Excellence and University diversity officer. The current murals replace the original “Believing” art created on the same walls in fall 2022.

“I think of antiracism and inclusive work as a journey and it doesn't really have a final destination,” Settles-Tidwell said. “Different issues will emerge, but at different points in time we need to chronicle and memorialize where we're at.”

For the current work, Sac State teamed with Roseville-based nonprofit art education center and gallery Blue Line Arts. Carol Nicknig, marketing and communications specialist in University Communications and mural project manager, said it is a partnership that could evolve as the University inches closer to opening its Placer Center.

“Blue Line Arts has been a great partner,” Nicknig said. “Their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion was something that was very important to us.”

The murals were celebrated at an April 10 reveal event. Speakers included College of Arts and Letters Dean Sheree Meyer, Martinique Baker from the Black Honors College, and Inclusive Excellence Communications and Programs Specialist Leha Hawkins.

“We want to make sure that we aspire to be that kind of campus that creates the conditions so people can be successful,” Settles-Tidwell said during the event. “Belonging is very important, but also setting people up for success is important.”

Attendees had a chance to view the murals and meet the artists, who sold artwork and merchandise.

“I think of antiracism and inclusive work as a journey and it doesn't really have a final destination. Different issues will emerge, but at different points in time we need to chronicle and memorialize where we're at.” -- Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president for Inclusive Excellence

Seven muralists were chosen from a pool of 23 applicants by a diverse committee of University faculty and staff. Applicants submitted proposals and short essays explaining how their mural would represent the theme.

Muralists received a $1,000 stipend for their time and supplies. Each was assigned a 7-by-30-foot wall panel. The AICP Showcase kicked off the project on March 25, and painting took place March 26-April 8.

Artists Wood "Tsumnu" Farguheson and Eddie Palacios, who is also Blue Line Arts’ marketing coordinator, served as site managers and assisted the muralists during painting.

“It really gives people not only a way to showcase what they're capable of, but to speak on the behalf of belonging,” Palacios said. “We have a driving force of bringing a vibrant community to life through the arts. I just think we need more of it, and I'm happy that Sac State was the one to want to partner with us to do it.”

Julie Crumb, who graduated from Sac State in December and will participate in Commencement in May, integrated into her mural Assembly Bill 1460, which was signed in 2020 and mandates ethnic studies courses for California State University students.

• View more images of the muralists painting
• See more photos from the "Becoming" murals reveal event
• Watch video of muralists working on and talking about their murals

“I hope that (my mural) incites enough curiosity for people to look up, what is Assembly Bill 1460?” Crumb said. “My goal was for it to look like a poster, so the text is very bold and graphic in that sense. I just want people to be curious enough to understand how valuable this legislation is for all of us.”

Alumnus and Sac State Media Production Specialist Phillip Altstatt, whose mural is a continuation of the 2022 “Believing” work, said he was honored to participate again.

“I always feel so lucky and so blessed to be selected for projects like this,” he said. “Last time, I got the opportunity to mentor a lot of younger artists, and this year everybody's working very independently, but it's still just really wonderful to be out here again.”

Student Jaci Zemenchik said that, as someone who has a disability that only “allows her to whisper,” her mural represents her passion for empowering women and ensuring they have a voice.

“I want people to know that they’re included,” Zemenchik said. “I want people to understand that your race is important and you are heard.”

Local artist and Sac State Art alumnus Jose Martinez said, as a Chicano artist, he wanted to participate to emphasize Latino and gay art because his work speaks on behalf of the issues those communities face.

“I like the fact that everybody could kind of see themselves in a story or maybe include themselves, but I want them to understand that there's a possibility of change and then to become something new, to become something different,” Martinez said.

Muralist Heather Hogan, a former Sac State staff member, teamed with a group of McClatchy High School students, including her daughter, using a paint-by-number system to keep everyone organized.

“Art can make you feel, and you can have joyful art that makes you happy and then makes you think about something,” Hogan said. “Hopefully, it will brighten someone’s day.”

Other muralists included Psychology major Giselle Lacap, student Nicole Sena and student Alejandra Ruiz, who partnered with Crumb.

Nicknig said the murals have become a campus destination for the entire community.

“It's become an iconic fixture on campus where people really connect with the whole theme,” Nicknig said. “I think there's a really good understanding of what the project is about, and sincere enthusiasm.”

The “Becoming” murals will adorn the building’s walls for a year and a half before they’re replaced by “Being” murals.

Settles-Tidwell said the artwork helps start essential conversations and emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“By using art as a medium, it gives us a safe place to explore questions and talk about how the artists came to this place of ‘Becoming’ with the goal of becoming an antiracism and inclusive campus,” Settles-Tidwell said.

“It provides hope, too, that we can work together to practice a different future and to increase our ability to have inclusive language and inclusive traditions, and that, hopefully, no one feels left out of that story.”

Learn more about the “Place of Belonging” murals project, the artists and Blue Line Arts on the University website.