Bringing artists to campus — and into the community.
Beyond the four walls of the gallery, the Santa Fe College Art Gallery and the Department of Cultural Affairs bring artists to campus through the Spring Arts Festival, the Art in Public Spaces mural program, and other community-focused projects. These initiatives extend the gallery’s exhibition program into shared public spaces and connect SF students directly with working professional artists.
A festival weekend, decades in the making.
Each spring, the Art Gallery joins the Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival, one of the longest-running outdoor fine arts festivals in the southeast. The two-day, free event draws more than 130 juried artists and tens of thousands of visitors to the Northwest Campus, with live music, food, family activities, and student-led programming.
The Gallery hosts artist demonstrations, pop-up installations, and a related on-campus exhibition during the festival weekend.
Mural Artists
The Art in Public Spaces mural program, led by the Department of Cultural Affairs, has brought regional, national, and international muralists to Santa Fe College to create permanent public works on campus.
Kevin Bongang
Atlanta-based muralist whose vibrant, character-driven public works have appeared throughout the southeast. His installations are known for bold color, playful figures, and a strong sense of place.
Maser
Internationally recognized Irish painter and graphic artist known for bold lettering and color-blocked compositions. Maser’s work has been exhibited in galleries and on building facades around the world.
Photo: William Murphy, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Example of public street work in Ireland.
birdcap
Memphis-based muralist whose imaginative, narrative-rich public works have brought new color and storytelling to walls across the United States. He has painted on campus and was Artist in Residence at the Spring Arts Festival, creating a live mural for visitors. His Santa Fe College work connects classroom learning to the broader campus community.
Photo: wiredforlego, Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0). Mural, “The B Line : Birdcap” (MBTA system, public context).
Other Public Art Initiatives
Murals are only one part of the gallery’s public-facing work. Past projects led by the Santa Fe College Art Gallery and the Department of Cultural Affairs include sculpture installations, temporary outdoor exhibitions, collaborative student projects, and visiting-artist programming connected to gallery exhibitions. New initiatives are announced through our exhibitions calendar and our mailing list.
Have an idea for a public art project at Santa Fe College? Get in touch with the gallery — we welcome proposals from local and visiting artists.