Highlighting Crops with Ag Building Murals by MSU Art Students
A remarkable project taken up by Mississippi State University (MSU) fine arts students leaves an enduring mark on the institution’s aesthetic landscape. This exceptional development is the result of the ingenious efforts of senior art major Chloe V. Ruggiero, a local of Covington, Louisiana, and Abbey R. Temple, a spring 2024 graduate hailing from Ridgeland, MS. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of a 32-foot-long mural in MSU’s Hill Agriculture Science Building.
Art Meets Science in a Unique Collaboration
The mural elegantly depicts select Mississippi crops such as corn and rice, along with their distinct disease patterns. The exclusive representation of plant pathologies lacks no beauty under these artistic strokes, despite their negative connotation. This visually compelling representation serves not just as a symbol of comprehensive artistic expression but also as an efficient educational tool in the agricultural science field.
A Creative Process with Extra Care
The MSU’s Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection was the patron behind this project. Under their guidance and support, the art students studied a reference book of crops and held several consultations with faculty members and other department stakeholders to fine-tune the mural’s themes. “We took their pictures and examples and turned them into something of our own stylistically,” confirmed Temple.
Supervised by MSU Department of Art professor Soon Ee Ngoh, known for her guidance of several campus murals, both the artists put extra effort into ensuring recognizability. Their process translated an iPad-sized sketch to a compelling large-scale painting, keeping in mind the dynamic nature of the wall as they transferred sections around to find the best placement. Each contributed certain elements based on their skills and preferences, with Temple handling sketching and planning, and Ruggiero leading color and texture choices.
A Challenge to Cherish
For these oil painters, working on such a large-sized canvas was a unique experience. “I love the rice and the corn on the far left of the mural,” remarked Ruggiero, favoring the warm-toned color palette. Both the artists expressed that the medium switch-up exhilarated them, with Ruggiero stating, “It was also a fun medium switch-up.”
Leaving a Lasting Impact on MSU
This collaboration is a perfect example of how art and science can combine to create a remarkable visual spectacle that educates and captivates. With this project, Ruggiero and Temple have cemented the blending of the fields, leaving a lasting legacy at MSU. The mural not only adds a vibrant aesthetic to the Hill Agriculture Science Building but also serves as an informative tool for those learning about the crops and their corresponding diseases.
The College of Architecture, Art and Design, as well as the Department of Art at Mississippi State University, continually strive towards fostering innovation and creativity. Their comprehensive educational framework allows students like Chloe and Abbey to foreground their artistic prowess in line with practical sciences, instigating a dynamic extension of knowledge and acumen.
