Considering the Past: Topics in M.C. History

The Park Center Mural was commissioned by the Class of 1997 to “reflect the heritage of Meredith.” The mural was painted by artist Linda Poole FitzSimons (Class of 1973) who was, at the time, an associate professor of art at Meredith College. FitzSimons linked the project to the upcoming 100^th anniversary of the 1899 opening of Baptist Female University: her vision was to recognize and honor 100 graduates, “not only in terms of their career accomplishments, but also their volunteer service to organizations and family issues.”

The mural itself is an oil pastel painting, made up of thousands of strokes of color. It depicts an aerial view of the campus, with the names of past students interwoven with its landmarks.  In her artist’s statement, FitzSimons wrote, “The subtle footprints throughout the mural represent all the students who have walked on the Meredith Campus for the past 100 years… The names of the 100 alumnae are interwoven with the campus imagery, just as every student becomes part of the fabric of the Meredith community, connecting past, present and future.”

Complementing the painting are 100 tiles mounted on the walls of the staircase. Each tile illustrates an outstanding Meredith College graduate, depicted as she appeared in her senior year photograph. Students, faculty and staff nominated the alumnae, with instructions that the Park Center Mural Committee was looking for Meredith Alumnae who made “remarkable achievements, either through career achievements or community service.” Additionally, “We also hope to discover some of the ‘quiet heroes’ who have worked mostly behind the scenes without previous public recognition. The artist designed the piece with room for additional names if it became desirable to do so.

Fitz-Simon’s philosophy of the project was expressed at the time of its dedication in the staircase in Park Center in 1999:

The mural recognizes the influential and nurturing role that Meredith College plays in our lives by creating and educational experience founded on high standards of excellence within a caring environment. It is this campus community depicted in the mural imagery that brings us together for a short time, and ultimately unites all alumnae forever, though one common educational heritage.