Cincinnati, Ohio, May 3, 2014 – St. Ursula Academy hosted “Artist in Residence” Gerardo Arias of Nicaragua for three weeks during the spring semester. And even though Mr. Arias is no longer on campus, his work remains at St. Ursula Academy in the form of a new mural hanging in the Arleene Fox Keller ’58 Student Center.
While on St. Ursula Academy’s campus from March 27 through April 17, Arias collaborated with students to create a four panel mural with the theme “Inspiring Leaders for a Brighter Tomorrow”. Every detail of the mural represents an ideal central to the education and formation of students at St. Ursula Academy. For example, the yellow represents the light that SUA students are expected to shine on the community. Also incorporated in the mural are images related to technology, fine arts, faith, leadership, community involvement, and confidence. The combination of these colors and images speak to the title of the project, encouraging young ladies to be the leaders of a bright future.
Students were involved with the mural every step of the way. “It was an amazing process and Mr. Arias was wonderful to work with. He made sure the design was student focused and used student ideas and thoughts to help us create a beautiful piece of artwork. He really encouraged us to work as a team to complete the project,” said Monica Luebbers, a sophomore from Ft. Mitchell, KY.
Mr. Arias is an art teacher from the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte in Manugua, Nicaragua. This Nicaraguan cultural center was co-founded by Sr. Margie Navarro, a 1949 graduate of St. Joseph Academy (which eventually became McNicholas High School). St. Ursula Academy has partnered with the Cultural Center for several years and will be sending students to Nicaragua this summer for the fourth year. 17 students will travel to Managua with St. Ursula Academy teachers Mark Simcoe and Dave Stickel in June to learn more about the Nicaraguan culture and assist Mr. Arias at the Cultural Center.
The mural will be on permanent display in the Keller Center on St. Ursula Academy’s campus.
To learn more about St. Ursula Academy, please visit www.saintursula.org.
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. 87% of the class of 2013 earned college scholarships totaling more than $20-million.