Hancock College debuts new mural on campus

Allan Hancock College unveiled a new mural Tuesday in its Student Services building.

The artwork, titled “About This Life: Signs, Symbols, & Metaphor,” is a ceramic mural created by retired fine arts instructor Bob Nichols.

“The mural is 21 panels in three rows of seven,” said Nichols. “They are all 17 1/2 inches square by two inches deep. They were originally formed basically as blanks and from there, there was lots of work with surface design and details. The addition of sculptural elements all followed.”

The title of the artwork encompasses several references to his many experiences and the technologies that have evolved during his lifetime.

“All of the imagery on the mural is byproduct of my interests in subjects that I wove into my curriculum in the art department, as well as favorite readings, travel in the desert southwest, trips to Italy and China and Peru, Costa Rica and Mexico.”

Nichols retired in 2017 after teaching at the school for 28 years.

He said the project was first commissioned by the college’s Art on Campus Committee in 2014.

However, as he worked to finish the piece, it suffered a significant setback in 2016 when a windstorm knocked down the original piece, destroying 12 of the 21 panels.

The unveiling was attended by many of Nichols’ former colleagues and students, as well as friends and other campus employees.

“I’m basking in the opportunity to to undertake a project that was far more complicated than I ever imagined when I started,” said Nichols.

The new mural can been seen in the lobby of Student Services (Bldg. A), near the information desk.

Nichols added this was the first time he had ever publicly debuted a piece of artwork he personally created.

The college’s Art on Campus Committee has previously commissioned other art displays on campus and is hoping others will follow in the future.