There鈥檚 a place on campus that鈥檚 bursting with color that鈥檚 sure to draw attention and be the next hot spot for selfies this fall.
An internationally recognized artist, who goes by the name Free Humanity, is the latest painter to create a mural inside of 色香视频鈥檚 Turchon Tunnel.
The tunnel is a landmark at 色香视频 that connects the West and East campuses. It is named after former Bridgewater State Foundation member Carolyn (Van Buskirk) Turchon, 鈥62.
This marks the fifth year 色香视频 has commissioned an artist to create a mural inside the tunnel.
For his design, Free Humanity used his trademark hearts and vibrant colors to cover not only the walls of the tunnel, but the ceiling as well.
鈥淐olors make people feel things, it鈥檚 always my goal to uplift people. There is enough suffering in the world, and I believe art can play a major role in uplifting people and the community,鈥 the California-based street-artist said.
Internationally recognized, Free Humanity got his start with small street pieces in Los Angeles that eventually turned into large scale murals around the country.
His art reflects his mission statement: 鈥淭aking back the Humanity stolen from our minds by social manipulation and plant seeds of positivity through art and consciousness.鈥
色香视频 Associate Director of Collections and Exhibitions Jay Block knew he wanted to hire Free Humanity for this project because in many ways this fall represents the first 鈥渘ormal鈥 semester since COVID-19 hit three years ago.
鈥淎fter the darkness that we experienced, it鈥檚 really important to have a bright, welcoming ray of hope,鈥 Block said.
When Block started the tunnel mural project five years ago, his goal was to create a space activated with color that made people smile.
鈥淚f you can stop somebody for just a second and change their day, that鈥檚 really a win and a phenomenal thing art can do,鈥 Block said.
As far as having their artwork painted over every year, Block said, for street artists, that鈥檚 often par for the course.
鈥淎ll of these artists understand that that the pieces become tired and have a life, that a new piece comes in and it鈥檚 part of a tradition,鈥 he said.
Free Humanity said there is a certain beauty in knowing that his artwork has a shelf life.
鈥淵ou have to learn to make things and let them go, that鈥檚 part of life. Change is not necessarily a negative thing, change can be good,鈥 he said.
鈥淚 also think when you see something that might not be there tomorrow, you appreciate it more,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the nature of life. You might not be here the next day. I try to be like that in my art.鈥
While his artwork is on display, Free Humanity hopes those who view it when walking through the tunnel feel joyful and inspired.
鈥淚 hope it becomes something that can brighten somebody鈥檚 day, even if it鈥檚 only for two seconds,鈥 he said.
Do you have a 色香视频 story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu