Ypsilanti District Library Mural
Collage illustration and mural work
The Superior Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library in Ypsilanti, Michigan, had a need to revitalize their cafeteria space with an original wall mural. It was important that the mural embody the community it serves while tying in natural elements especially since it's what people will see on their way to the Library’s community garden. For the design, I used imagery that intertwines images of native plants, garden vegetables, mushrooms, native animals and insects with illustrations of library members themselves. I also used a calm blue background to help ground the pops of color of the mural and create a space that is inviting and relaxing to be in. This mural involved me designing the collage, painting the walls, circular elements, and dashed lines, and using hand cutout images and illustrations that were pasted and sealed on top.
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It was important for the members of the Library that the community could see themselves in the mural. Photos from the Library's Book Brigade event were used as a basis for the illustrations of people in the collage. This way patrons can recognize themselves and other community members in the design. |
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There are wetlands and forest surrounding the library and imagery of native herons, painted turtles, and crayfish were incorporated into the design to help bring the outdoor surroundings into the space.
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