Mason art student showcases the Corner Pocket in new mural

Colleen Rich — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:14:42 +0000

Mason art student showcases the Corner Pocket in new mural Colleen Rich Wed, 02/23/2022 - 12:14

Because she had no prior experience designing and painting a mural, Mason student Lecsi Pillar said she wasn’t expecting to be chosen for the project. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Amidst the arcade games, ping pong tables, and neon lights of the Corner Pocket, one of George Mason University’s student hang-out spots in the Hub, sits a brand-new addition: a mural by Lecsi Pillar, a senior art and visual technology student at Mason.

Because she had no prior experience designing and painting a mural, and because she submitted her pitch just a few hours before the application deadline, Pillar said she wasn’t expecting to be chosen for the project.

“I never would have thought I would be capable of doing something so large,” she said.

But when Jack Kenny, a team lead at the Corner Pocket, saw Pillar’s submission, he immediately knew her design was the one.

“It was just spectacular,” Kenny said.

This work is part of the larger Murals at Mason project.

Lecsi Pillar worked on the mural every day for two weeks. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

“For student artists who have never done murals but want to learn, Murals at Mason provides mentorship throughout the project while still empowering the student to learn through the experience,” said Yassmin Salem, program manager for Murals at Mason and a Mason alum.

Murals at Mason and Corner Pocket leadership reviewed all the submissions and ultimately agreed to move forward with Pillar’s design because it was very colorful, included a variety of activities offered by the Corner Pocket, and cleverly referenced the name of the space, Salem said.

Pillar said she pulled inspiration for her design, which she themed “'80s disco,” from her parents.

“All the time, they tell me stories about their college experience in the ’80s and going to the roller disco,” Pillar said.

Pillar said she envisioned people hanging out and going to the arcade after school, just like she’s seen in movies about the ’80s.

But Pillar said it was also important for the mural to match the atmosphere of where it will be displayed. That way, it will feel as if it has always been there.

To play off the Corner Pocket’s name, Pillar said she had long envisioned a girl looking over her shoulder and the “energy,” or bright arcade vibes, of the space coming out of the corner of the girl’s back pocket.

To allow students to see themselves in the design, Pillar said she chose not to give the people in the mural skin tones and instead used background colors.

Pillar worked every day for two weeks in January, sometimes with the help of her friend, Mady Shaw, to ensure the mural would be done for the start of spring semester.

Because of her work on this project, Pillar got a job at Mason’s Student Centers as the lead graphic designer and has applied to multiple other off-campus mural projects.

Pillar said she credits Maria Karametou, an associate professor in Mason’s School of Art, for her motivation in doing this mural.

“I wouldn’t have taken this opportunity if she didn’t push me,” Pillar said. “The only reason I even conceptualized being able to do big things is because of her.”

See more of her art on Instagram at @maeberry_arts.

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Students

Murals at Mason

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

President Washington sees growing role for Mason Korea

Colleen Rich — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 19:51:33 +0000

President Washington sees growing role for Mason Korea Colleen Rich Fri, 10/15/2021 - 15:51

President Gregory Washington took photos with many of the Mason Korea students on campus in Virginia this fall at the Mason Korea hybrid event, part of a week-long series of Investiture celebration events. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

George Mason University President Gregory Washington said he envisions Mason Korea as an expanding presence, not only in its home country but throughout Asia.

“I see our Mason Korea Campus being an outpost for other countries in Asia for students to come and engage and to learn about Korean culture and what we do in the U.S.,” he said.

Washington spoke on Oct. 14 at a Mason Korea event in Horizon Hall on the Fairfax Campus, as part of a week-long series of events celebrating his Investiture. Participants gathered in person and virtually from the Mason Korea Campus.

“Mason Korea is important because we no longer live in a one-country world,” Washington said. “If we’re going to be successful in all of the endeavors that we need to be successful in tackling the big challenges that we face, we’re going to have to do them together—because what is done in one part of the world actually affects another part of the world.”

This fall, a record 84 students from Mason Korea are studying in Fairfax.

Mason Korea faculty, staff and students joined in online to celebrate with President Washington. Photo by Jae Hee Suh/Mason Korea

Hannah Park, a PhD student specializing in higher education and a graduate assistant for University Life who worked at the Mason Korea campus for three years before coming to Fairfax this semester, said she shared Washington’s hopes of better connecting the two campuses.

“Through this event, it shows that Dr. Washington cares about the campus in Korea and how he can further develop that partnership,” said Park, who was campus and office coordinator at Mason Korea’s Office of Student Affairs.

Robert Matz, Mason Korea’s dean, said he is delighted with how Washington has embraced Mason Korea’s mission through his commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence.

The Korean American Student Association entertained with a dance performance. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“We at Mason Korea are excited about your plans for Mason,” Matz told Washington. “And we’re excited to share your ambition for Mason and Mason Korea’s growth.”

A unique feature of the curriculum at Mason Morea is that students are require to spend a year studying at Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

To help ease the transition, Chae Rin Lee, a Mason Korea student ambassador majoring in global affairs, said she organizes school and sports events to allow the Mason Korea students to experience American culture and college life.

The Fairfax-based Korean American Student Association (KSA) also attended the event and had attendees in person and online clapping along to their dance performance.

Ching Duong, president of KSA and a senior information technology major, said the event lets Mason Korea students know that “when they do come to Fairfax, they have a place that they can go and have a sense of community.”

Washington agreed.

“No matter where you are from and no matter who you are,” he said, “we are all Patriots.”

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Madison Rudolf

Mason art student showcases the Corner Pocket in new mural

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President Washington sees growing role for Mason Korea

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