Hastings College annual mural competition draws more than 200 students
HASTINGS, Neb. -- More than 200 high school students have bonded after spending more than four hours painting murals in Hastings.
Students from 36 high schools across Nebraska gathered on Wednesday for the 8th annual mural competition at Hastings College.
Faculty member Jerome Dubas said the event is meant to promote the arts.
“It shows that the arts do matter and that there are things that artists can collectively get together and do and that it’s an important part of who we are as a people," Dubas said.
The event started after a faculty member participated in a similar event in McCook. After eight years, not much has changed. Each participating school creates a 36 by 60-inch vinyl mural and the theme is announced at 10:00 a.m.
This year’s theme was to develop a billboard with a new slogan for Nebraska.
Emily, a student from Hastings St. Cecilia High School, explained the process of developing the mural.
“We spent like the first 20, 30, maybe 20 minutes brainstorming and then we kind of started sketching out ideas," Emily said. "We knew that we wanted the letters of Nebraska on there and then a slogan and then we just sort of started sketching it out and then painted.”
The competition is judged by Hastings College senior art majors and the top three teams receive awards.
Emily said this is her first year attending the event.
“I really like it; I think it’s fun, I like to do art project all day,” Emily said. "It’s like people can be creative but still a little bit competitive and it’s really fun."
"And are you hoping to win?"
“Yeah, but I’ve had a really fun time today so even if we don’t, I still really love what we’ve done and it’s ok," Emily said.
St. Cecilia High School ended up winning first place for their mural.