The first temporary art piece was hung in the Julian A. McPhee University Union (UU) on April 28.
Graffiti artist Timoi visited Cal Poly on May Day 2014 to celebrate immigrant and labor rights, Cross Cultural Center Coordinator (CCC) Que Dang said.
“We are talking a lot about what graffiti art means for communities, activism, empowerment and social justice,” Dang said.
She worked in collaboration with Cal Poly students to create this piece on Mott Lawn. Timoi, also known as Susana DeLeon, created the figure in the foreground, depicting historical labor figure Louis Moreno, while students contributed to the background.
Video courtesy of Cal Poly Multicultural Center
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and the CCC partnered up to hang the work of art. The CCC provided the art and plaque while ASI chose the location for the piece and was responsible for hanging the art. Bringing Timoi to Cal Poly and buying supplies cost approximately $1,500.
It has been hung in the San Luis Lounge, which was an art gallery before it was converted into a study space.
A plaque will accompany the piece with the artist’s name and description to educate students on the significance of the work.
University Union Advisory Board (UUAB) Chair and child development senior Sevelyn Van Ronk created a project proposal form to get more art into the UU.
By collaborating with the CCC, the opportunity presented itself, Van Ronk said.
“It was kind of unexpected and just fell into our laps to have this art displayed,” Van Ronk said. “But we have gotten really great feedback to have more student art represented in UU.”
Since this is a temporary art piece, it will be hung for no longer than 18 months. After a year, the UUAB will evaluate how the campus community is receiving the art to consider extending the display term, suggesting permanent status or removing the work from display. This will be done in consultation with the CCC.
Unless the term is extended, the piece will be removed at the end of the display period. After the piece is taken down, it will be returned to the CCC.
“If it works out well, students are responding well and the Cross Cultural Center thinks it’s a great spot, we can consider making it a permanent art piece,” Van Ronk said.