News & Events

Africana Studies Mural Contest, Deadline May 4

The Africana Studies Program (AFST) is seeking artists to enter a competition to paint a mural in the program’s new office space.  The mural would need to be ready in time for AFST’s open house in September. In addition to paying for paint supplies, AFST will offer the winner a $500 award.

The theme of the mural is “Afrofuturism” and planners say it should convey a sense of “blackness” that resists stereotypical renditions of Africa and blacks.  While AFST is not committed to a particular style or genre, the mural should be colorful, with a color palette that includes (but is not limited to), blues, purples, greens and possibly gold.  The mural should clearly reflect Africa and/or any aspect of its Diaspora and organizers add that this does not rule out abstract interpretations.

To be eligible, the muralist must be a registered student at the main campus of Texas A&M; the work of art cannot be a reproduction of either the artist’s own work, or the work of another artist; and the mural must be completed by September 1. Perspective artists should submit an 8 X 10 detailed color drawing by May 4 that depicts what the proposed mural would look like. The winner will be chosen by and AFST faculty committee. 

Submissions should be sent to Kimberly N. Brown, Department of English. For more information, contact Brown at knbrown@tamu.edu.