College of Arts & Media Beautification
©2023 GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
This project began under the College of Fine Arts and Production (CoFAP). Initiated by Dean Craig Detweiler, CoFAP was to rebrand to the College of Arts and Media (CAM). Along with the rebrand, a beatification of the physical buildings including the building of CAM, Saguaro Hall, and Ethington Theatre was requested. The bland tone of the original building contrasted the creative spirit of CAM, so Canyon Creative hoped to revitalize the college with GCU’s secondary color palette and intentional artwork representing the five departments: Design, Film, Dance, Music, and Theatre. CAM wanted to use their building to show that although they have individual, unique talents, they come together as one collaborative group.
The results of CAM’s beautification include paintings on the exterior and interior of the building. Outside the main entrance, a painted mural inspired by “The Creation of Adam” with hands reaching from an explosion of colorful waves that greets students. This artwork hopes to remind students they are God’s own artwork, and each person has abilities gifted by God to worship Him and continue creation in their own hands. The walls inside have the continuous theme of movement and connection, along with bright colors and signage for each specialized room. Each entrance is also themed to represent one of the five departments.
The mural on the back entrance of the building continues the motif of hands with a painting of them connecting, paired with the phrase “bonded by creativity.” This promotes the collaboration of students within CAM and inspires others to work together.
Inside the building, artwork of flowing lines creates silhouettes of creatives that represent each department to unify the hallways. The secondary color palette of GCU also continued from the main doors to the classroom entrances. This allowed the designs to carry throughout the halls of CAM making it a fun, bright experience for anyone who enters.
In Ethington theatre, wall graphics were installed to give the historic building more personality and compliment the dance recitals and theatrical performances.
Additionally, similar line art graphics were designed for Saguaro Hall to continue the theme of movement and unity for the dance and film departments.
This project began under the College of Fine Arts and Production (CoFAP). Initiated by Dean Craig Detweiler, CoFAP was to rebrand to the College of Arts and Media (CAM). Along with the rebrand, a beatification of the physical buildings including the building of CAM, Saguaro Hall, and Ethington Theatre was requested. The bland tone of the original building contrasted the creative spirit of CAM, so Canyon Creative hoped to revitalize the college with GCU’s secondary color palette and intentional artwork representing the five departments: Design, Film, Dance, Music, and Theatre. CAM wanted to use their building to show that although they have individual, unique talents, they come together as one collaborative group.
Through the beatification of the buildings’ interior and exterior, students and faculty of the College of Arts and Media (CAM) hoped to unify the five departments of the college (Dance, Digital Film, Design, Music, and Theatre) under the pursuit of honoring God with their gifts of creation and imagination.
Each graphic and idea went through several phases of intentional evaluation within the internal team and external stakeholders to ensure that the theme of the project was communicated well.
This project proved difficult by creating consistency, alongside individuality, in the designs displayed throughout the college.
As CAM’s population grows and Canyon Creative continues to develop, they are excited to celebrate the 75th year of GCU. Details of their high hopes in action to come.
