In a moving display of perseverance and memorialization, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus has brought forth an art installation breathing new life into the entrances of Frank and Estella Beam Hall. A series of six murals, crafted by students of the university, now stands as a tribute to the lives lost in the December 6 campus shooting, according to a report from FOX5 Vegas. The art pieces, each positioned on pillars outside the hall, invite passersby to reflect on the tragedy while embracing a message of resilience and healing.
The murals were selected by a committee comprising students, faculty, and alumni, part of the Faculty Senate’s December 6 Memorial Committee's endeavor to honor the victims and promote healing. Rendered in vibrant strokes and colors, the standout mural, "UNLV Strong" by student artists Anjelo Vigilia and Haide Calle, features symbolic elements like a teapot and teacups, a microphone, and a book authored by Naoko Takemaru, intending to pay homage to the fallen School of Business professors and their students. "I want people to think about UNLV Strong," Vigilia expressed in an interview with FOX5 Vegas.
Each artwork is paired with a QR code, offering onlookers a deeper understanding of the stories behind them and the individuals memorialized. Revealed in a UNLV News release, the art pieces were appraised for their resonant themes of memory and unity, chosen to reshape the entryway of Beam Hall into a hopeful, forward-looking space. Sarah Quigley, chair of the memorial art subcommittee and director of Special Collections and Archives, noted, "This installation allows us to honor our shared history in a way that words alone cannot."
According to statements from the artists and officials involved, the broad collaborative effort reflects the shared solidarity and dedication within the UNLV community. As detailed by UNLV News, Deborah Bergin, another member of the memorial art subcommittee and director of planning and facility partnerships, mentioned the depth of the experience, "Bringing together these meaningful designs and seeing them take shape on campus has been a profound experience." The murals are set to remain for at least a year, with ongoing work toward a permanent tribute in the form of a healing garden already underway.
