Art is a language common to all that has found its way through generations and across languages, races, ethnicities, religions, cultural norms, and the sheer diversity of the human race. A community, a nation, and even an entire world can be forever changed when artists commit to voicing themselves through creative design, and viewers open themselves to receive that voice.
In partnership with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and the WSU Center for Civic Engagement, Instructor Krystal Roig-Palmer of the WSU Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology led a class of students in expressing their experiences of social justice and domestic violence in a mural project throughout the spring semester. Over the course of three months, students in her Criminal Justice/Women’s Studies 403: Violence Toward Women class contributed to a mural depicting hope, justice, and their belief in a better future for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
“This mural project is ultimately intended to promote a holistic awareness within our society by orchestrating inclusivity toward civil rights for those who have experienced domestic violence,” said Roig-Palmer. The mural, titled “Face the Music,” features Lady Justice, a symbol for the class’s hope for balanced justice for all.
“All of the participating students were pulled toward working on this project for their own, distinct reasons,” Roig-Palmer said. She explained that advocating for social justice is a journey unique to each individual that is important for developing active citizenship among students.
“Our hope in supporting courses like this is that students will learn more about real-world issues and have the opportunity to create real, lasting change,” added Erin McIlraith, Marketing Coordinator for the Center for Civic Engagement.
“It’s important to take a stand against the things that we don’t feel are right in the world,” said Mikala Ewert, a student in the course and a contributor to the mural. “We all see social justice in a different way. So many different minds and ideas came together to illustrate something we all believe is important.”
Erik Smutny, another of Roig-Palmer’s students who contributed to the mural, explained that to him, the significance of the mural is multifaceted. “It is a call to action for people to get involved and educated about domestic violence,” Smutny said. “It is a symbol of hope for survivors that things can and will get better. It is a message to survivors and those victims still trapped in the cycle that we hear you, and you are not alone.”
Roig-Palmer and her class will unveil the mural on Tuesday, April 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in the WSU Terrell Library Atrium on the WSU Pullman Campus. This event is free and open to the public.
