LCU student mural spreads the word: 'From what ought to be to reality'

[May 11, 2013]  Last week, if you were driving northward on Logan, just off Fifth Street, you may have noticed a blue tarp held up with a piece of plywood on the back of the Fastenal building. Upon first inspection, in a vehicle whizzing past, it might have occurred to some that there was something wrong with the wall, and the tarp and plywood were serving as a temporary cover-up.

Well, the temporary cover-up would have been correct, but there was nothing wrong. In fact it was quite the opposite. Something was very right. The wall was in the process of being transformed into another lovely work of art in the city of Lincoln. And, more than that, it was art with a message that we can all take to heart.

The artwork was in fact a mural being painted by the Creativity Team of Lincoln Christian University. The team consists of Ashley Schrock, Nate Mulholland, Katie Dahm, Stephanie O'Malley, Moriah Kirkpatrick, Andy Boyce and Grant Zastrow. The group also had help from a number of student volunteers who came and grabbed a paintbrush whenever they had time.

Schrock served as the spokeswoman this week for the group and talked about the wall art and how it came to be. LCU had set a theme for the school year that focused on making what ought to be a reality. Schrock said the group thought about the theme and what they could do with it, and came up with the idea of a piece of art that would be in the community as an inspiration to everyone.

She said they then took advantage of the "city connection" in the form of Mayor Keith Snyder. Snyder is a member of the administrative staff at LCU. The group went to him and asked for help in finding a good spot for the mural.

Snyder in turn pointed them in the direction of Kathy Vinyard.

Vinyard is very active in the city with the From the Ground Up Group and Lincoln Community Gardens projects. She and a score of other volunteers have seen to the planting of tulips in the Plant the Town Red projects. She along with Roy Logan of the Lincoln Park District and Chris Tice of Lincoln College spearheaded the painting of the railroad viaducts last summer.

Vinyard also worked to get a piece of original art by local sculptor Jason Hoffman placed at the corner of Sangamon and Pulaski streets. That art will be unveiled in June during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce.

Schrock said she contacted Vinyard about the LCU project, and it was Vinyard who helped them get connected with the owners of the Fastenal building, who were happy to allow them the use of their back wall for their artwork.

The location is perfect because there is a community garden behind the Fastenal building, so as motorists pass by, they do have ample time to see and appreciate the mural.

The mural is painted as a split scene with a large tree being the common factor in both sides. On the left-hand half of the tree, the sky is gray and colorless. The silhouette image of a man is leaning against the trunk of the tree. In his hand is a bright red apple, the only object of color in the scene.

On the left-hand side, the tree is filled with leaves, and the sky is a lovely swirl of blues and white. The man is no longer leaning on the trunk of the tree. As he walks away from the tree, he has discarded the red apple and it lies in the grass, where it will eventually wither away. At the top of the mural are painted the words "From what ought to be to reality."

Schrock explained that in the dark side of the picture, the only pretty thing is the bright red apple. The apple signifies sin and how it can be attractive to us all. However, it is the only beauty in that life. As Christians we know that we ought not to participate in sin, but the attractiveness of it draws us to it. On the other hand, or the other side of the painting, we know that once we get rid of sin, we can find there are even more beautiful things in our life.

Schrock said the artwork serves as a reminder to Christians that we should practice what we know. We know sin is not good for us; we know we ought to walk away from it. And it shows that when we make what we know we ought to do a reality, we will have a better life.

In addition, the mural can also serve as an invitation to those who are not believers. It can show them that what they have in their unsaved state is not nearly as good as what they can have when they accept Christ as their Savior.

The group finished the mural this week. Though their efforts were hindered by some chilly, rainy days, the work progressed fairly quickly.

As you are out and about in Lincoln this weekend, make a point of driving up Logan Street and admiring the work of this group. Take away from it whatever blessing or lesson you might need at the moment.

[By NILA SMITH]