Pictured, from left, are Grace College Art Integrations instructor Cindy Bryan and students Riley Smith, Keri Koenig, Deborah Jackson, Michelle Sweers, Kaylee Kercher, Alexis Bolkema, Lauren Rekeweg, Cami Weaver, Carley Brechner and Kelsey Kirkendall.

WINONA LAKE — Grace College Art Integrations students and their instructor, Cindy Bryan, revealed the compilation of their semester’s work at the Beaman Home on Wednesday, May 10. Ten students created paintings, illustrations, ceramics and a wall mural at the Beaman Home to fulfill class and applied learning requirements.

“Each spring, students in Art Integrations apply their artistry to a community space, place or cause. With the renovation of the Beaman Home last year, we knew a great opportunity existed for collaboration and contributions from our students,” said Kim M. Reiff, chair, Department of Visual, Performing and Media Arts at Grace College.

Grace College art students sought to create art with the power to elevate, enrich and contribute to the healing of those living in the Beaman Home, a safe haven and service provider in Warsaw for domestic violence victims and their children. Art themes developed by the students included “safari,” illustrated by a mother elephant hovering protectively over her young, “lighthouse,” to symbolize hope for the lost, and “botanical,” to represent the beauty of new life. A total of 26 pieces were completed by student artists; the largest work is the children’s activity room wall mural.

Two Grace students, Kaylee Kercher and Michelle Sweers, painted the ocean scene 6-by-25-foot mural. “When we walked into the children’s room, we knew an ocean theme would be perfect. The glass blocks throughout the room give it a tank feeling – like being at an aquarium,” explained Kercher.

The mural took approximately 85 hours to complete. “We loved creating this mural for the Beaman Home. Michelle and I hope that it will bring joy and inspire creativity from the children and parents who interact with it for years to come,” said Kercher.

On Wednesday, Prof. Bryan and students hung and placed art work throughout the recently renovated facility which now includes 11 resident rooms, three living rooms, a resource library and computer lab.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the students’ artistic contributions to our facility,” said Tracie Hodson, executive director of the Beaman Home. “The children’s activity room mural and all of the pieces throughout the building add warmth, life and hope to those who call Beaman home. The work by these students is a true gift to us!”

The Grace College Department of Visual, Performing and Media Arts equips students to create and communicate with expertise to a visually oriented world. Students are trained to demonstrate excellence in creative work that serves in their calling as artists, Christians and professionals.